AMBASSADORS HOAXED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 358, 19 May 1928, Page 25

AMBASSADORS HOAXED

WARSAW ENJOYS JOKE Warsaw boasts the angriest diplomats in the world. A practical joker has victimised the 38 Ambassadors and Ministers accredited to Poland, reports the Warsaw correspondent of the "International News.” Shortly before noon every embassy and legation in Warsaw received a telephone message: “The Minister, President Pilsudski, begs to transmit his expressions of esteem to his Excellency the Ambassador, and invites him to an urgent conference of the highest political importance at the Minister President’s palace.” The 38 “excellencies” immediately cancelled their other engagements, told the cook to postpone lunch. Jumped into motor-cars, and hastened to the rendezvous. “Sounds like war," whispered one nervous Minister. “Could be anything,” responded another, remembering the impulsive character of Poland's dictator. Pilsudski s secretary saw the multitude of frock coats, and deduced an international crisis. His questions were anxious. The diplomats' replies were polite but a trifle impatient. For 15 minutes the embarrassment was great as the 38 bent their intellects to understand why Pilsudski was not there to receive them. The truth then dawned. It was all a hoax. Over the faces of the 38 spread wry smiles, and through Warsaw the next day a loud and undiplomatic laugh.