“Art. VI. Relations of consanguinity or of family alliance between courts confer no precedence on their diplomatic agents. The same rule applies also to political alliances.
“Art. VII. In acts or treaties between several powers which grant alternate precedence, the order which is to be observed in the signatures shall be decided by lot between the ministers.”
Q. “Are these the only international rules concerning diplomats”?
A. “They are the only ones given in the Diplomatic and Consular Register”.
Q. “Are they universally accepted”?
A. “By all except Turkey, which recognizes but three grades—ambassadors, ministers and chargés d’affaires”.
Q. “Suppose we send a diplomat of the second rank to any country: have we a right to receive one of the same grade in return”?
A. “Certainly, and no more. Italy, however, sends us an ambassador, while our representative to Italy is a minister”.
Q. “Professor, you will allow me to disagree with you upon the propriety of wearing a uniform”?
A. “Certainly, what have you to say”?