DIPLOMACY

The practice and theory of international negotiation has only been recognized as a distinct art or age science since the end of the 18th cent. Gk. European diplomacy has only been on its present footing since the Congre of Vienna, 1815. In the 18th cent. states were viewed pretty much as the private now property of their rulers; hence there was little or nothing of that consultation of called | public opinion which now plays so large of|a part in international relations. Again, hah was poe Ay Bib Cerna pea III. Also, to one communication, another, Cy aie of course, 7 was co: far slower, and diplomatic etiquette elabhis orate. Diplomacy, as we know it, could hardly exist in a feudal state, and much of European negotiation between states can be traced back in principle to those and Ital. states which at the time of the centra: monarchies around them. Venice, whose traditions were derived |from Constantinople, developed this membra-|branch of statecraft greatly, and the | political sagacity as they are valuable to the | reports of Venetian amba adors to their home government are as remarkable for political sagacity as they are valuable to the student of history. Emba ies were at first only temporary; Spain was the first to appoint a permanent amba ador to England—in 1487. Machi a vell i in Jl Principe had outlined his political theories with frank unscrupulousne , and Francis I. France set to work to apply them. lacking seemed diplomacy in moral principle that some of the best thinkers, (e.g.) Grotius, thought it either usele or mischievous. There was no idea of the po ibilities to which it might lead among a number of democratic states. An amba ador was obliged to keep up much ceremony; this and the elaborate etiquette which hedged him in made it more convenient for many states only to send agents. Members of a corps diplomat i que have various privileges: e.g., they are personally inviolable—even after war has been declared. The development of communications has gradually reduced the importance and independence of diplomatists.