Messersmith, G.S.
Date
2011-06-15
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
Relates incident which occurred while Consultat Fort Erie in Canada; smuggling of Chinese across border into U.S. had become serious problem; customs guards on U.S. side of border very vigilant; by mistake they shot at boat thought to be smuggling Chinese and killed Canadian policeman on Canadian side of river; incident unfortunate and created much friction as Canadian press played it up; became involved with the matter; it was settled rapidly and satisfactorily, and newspaper comments ceased; when next in Washington, was invited in to see Secretary of State [Robert] Lansing and was congratulated on prompt and intelligent manner of handling border incident; characteristic of Lansing, who was courteous gentleman, but also characteristic of Department of State for many years; there was esprit de corps between Department and officers in the field and morale was high; realizes work of Department has grown tremendously, but ever since advent of [Edward R.] Stettinius, has noticed fall in Foreign Service morale.
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.