THE IOWA JOURNAL OF HISTORY AND POLITICS JULY NINETEEN HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE VOL. XIX-21 IOWA AND THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE History may be studied from several viewpoints. First, the element of time may be made the basis of investigation. That is, all events of whatever nature that occur during a particular period of time whether it be a day or a century may be taken into consideration. Another standard for limiting the field of historical research is that of place. A student may confine his endeavor to the events that have occurred within a particular area, and the chosen area may be large or small. Again, history may be approached through the consideration of the thoughts and actions of those who have participated in an event or a series of events. Usually the study of the past is limited in all of these ways in respect to time, place, and participants combined - though one element may be selected as the primary limitation. Thus, the history of the United States is studied during the Civil War period; or the history of Iowa is studied from the earliest times to the present; or attention is centered upon a biography. The history of a relatively small area can not be adequately understood except in relation to larger areas of which it is a part or with which it is associated. The history of Iowa is somewhat dependent upon the history of the nation and at the same time constitutes a part of it. Iowa history is the resultant of external as well as internal events: it can not be limited by State boundaries. Wherever citizens of Iowa may be, especially in official capacity, there Iowa history is being made. As the history of any country includes the exploits of its citizens both at home and abroad, so it is proper to include in the history of this Commonwealth not only the acts of the people living within the borders of the State but also the deeds of those who participate in national and international affairs. In this sense there is a relationship between Iowa and the diplomatic service. During the time that Iowa has been a State, at least eleven residents of this Commonwealth have been heads of embassies or legations in foreign countries. Some of these men have served for many years and in several countries. Some have also acted as special commissioners on various occasions. There have been a few Iowans who, having been nominated for a post in the diplomatic service, have declined acceptance. The first appointment of an Iowan to the head of a foreign mission was made in 1855 and the last in 1910.1 Partly due to the fact that the rank of ambassador was not established by the United States until 1893, there have been only two appointments of Iowans to that grade: Edwin H. Conger was ambassador to Mexico in 1905, and Thomas C. Dawson held that rank on a special mission to Venezuela in 1911. There have been twelve appointments of Iowans to the rank of envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary, four appointments to the rank of minister resident, and two appointments to the rank of minister resident and consul general; while on special missions there have been six appointments bearing the title of commissioner, two with the title high commissioner, three delegates, one delegate plenipotentiary, one representative, and two agents. In addition to the Iowans who have been heads of embas 1 The list of diplomatic appointments from Iowa used in connection with this article was obtained for the State Historical Society of Iowa by Dr. Newton D. Mereness from the files in the Department of State, Washington, D. C. sies or legations, or who have served as special diplomatic agents, there have been several who have served as secretaries of legations, a few of whom have later become envoys. There have also been a few student interpreters sent to China and one to Turkey. As many if not more Iowans have received appointments to the consular as to the diplomatic branch of the foreign service. Indeed, it has been said that Philip C. Hanna of Waterloo was, at the time of his retirement, the dean of the United States consular service. The contribution of Iowa to the consular service, however, will not be considered in this article. A list of Iowa diplomats is given below: |