The U.S. Diplomat and his Maine connection

by James Nalley

In many instances, U.S. diplomats travel the world performing their various duties, mostly outside of the spotlight of Washington D.C. However, in some cases, they are caught at the “wrong place at the wrong time” and put in precarious positions. For example, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and invaded the Philippines in the same month, one U.S. diplomat was in Manila, where he was soon interned by the Japanese. He spent the next 21 months in detention before being repatriated in a prisoner exchange. Yet, upon his return, he continued to work in various official roles, after which he retired and called Maine his home.

Karl Rankin was born on September 4, 1898, in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and grew up in Topeka, Kansas. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War I (1918), Rankin attended the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena and the Federal Polytechnic Institute in Switzerland before receiving his degree in civil engineering from Princeton University in 1922. After graduating, he became a field engineer in Turkey and supervised construction for Near East Relief in the Caucasus of the Soviet Union from 1922 to 1925. He subsequently returned to the United States to manage a real-estate development company in Linden, New Jersey. (cont. on page 46)

(cont. from page 45)

However, in 1927, his travels inspired him to enter the Foreign Service. As an official for the U.S. State Department, Rankin began his career as Assistant Trade Commissioner in Prague, Czechoslovakia, from 1927 to 1929, after which he served as Commercial Attaché in the same city. Similar assignments soon followed in Athens (Greece), Tirana (Albania), and Brussels (Belgium). After excelling in these positions, Rankin earned the rank of Consul in 1941, while serving in Belgrade (Serbia).

Needless to say, foreign service sometimes comes with risks, especially during times of turmoil. There were three prominent examples in Rankin’s career. First, in 1940, he was in Brussels when the Nazis overran Belgium. Second, in 1941, he was in Belgrade when the Nazi Luftwaffe blitzed the capital. Third, and most importantly, he was on his way to a new assignment in Cairo (Egypt) in late 1941 via Manila (Philippines). However, two hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japan declared war on the United States and immediately invaded the Philippines. Rankin was detained for 21 months until he was repatriated. After completing his assignment in Cairo, the troubles did not end. According to The New York Times (February 9, 1991), “He was sent in 1944 to what should have been a relatively peaceful post in liberated Greece. But in December of that year, rioting in Athens swelled into a Communist attempt to seize power. When the British Government sent in troops and the Royal Air Force to defend the Greek Government, Rankin found himself again in the thick of combat.”

As Economic Officer, Rankin was subsequently assigned to Vienna (Austria) from 1946 to 1947, and then returned to Athens as Counselor for the next two years. In 1948, he was ap- pointed as Career Minister, traditionally the highest rank for non-political appointees in the U.S. State Department. A year later, Rankin was the U.S. Consul General in Canton (China) and Hong Kong until 1950. This set the stage for his leap into a major diplomatic assignment: U.S. Ambassador to Taiwan, a position usually reserved for wealthy or influential members of the President’s political party. He remained the Ambassador from 1953 to 1957. Finally, from 1957 to 1961, Rankin returned to Yugoslavia, serving as U.S. Ambassador to the country, after which he retired from the Foreign Service and moved to South Bridgton.

In 1964, Rankin published his memoir titled China Assignment, which focused on his seven years of work in Taiwan. Interestingly, his book was divisive. On the one hand, Rankin clearly explained why he felt it necessary to exaggerate his arguments in order to accomplish his objectives as an American ambassador to Nationalist China during the 1950s: Some of these excerpts may sound unwarrantedly alarming or seem to support unduly the side of Nationalist China. This was done deliberately, for my pervading purpose was to assistthose in Washington who shared my own sense of urgency about China and the Far East in general and who believed that a positive and active American strategy was indispensable. On the other hand, the book received a blistering review in The China Quarterly, published by Cambridge University Press in February 2009. For example: The image of the ambassador, super-suave, hyper-sophisticated, and dedicated to the interests of the nation at great personal sacrifice, is usually triumphant. However, Karl Rankin, a diplomat to the Republic of China from early in the decade until 1957, might better have refrained from publication of these memoirs. They tend to destroy the glittering image, replacing it with a picture of a diplomatic establishment primarily concerned with making friends, rather than executing policy, secondarily obsessed with its own dignity and comfort, and, finally, engaged in no intensive political or intellectual activity which is not generally known to the public and the Press.

After being active in the community, attending the local Congregational church, and spending a relatively quiet retirement, Rankin died of prostate cancer on January 15, 1991, in Kennebunkport. He was 92 years old. Aside from his book, his diplomatic papers were given to Princeton University and are on file in Firestone Library.

Fryeburg Fair, established in 1851, will host its 172nd annual eightday Fair from Sunday, October 2nd thru Sunday, October 9th

Big news this year – we welcome Dreamland Amusements as they debut spectacular rides to Fryeburg fairgoers! This is their first time in the state of Maine. Dreamland ride tickets can be purchased online. They accept credit cards on site and we expect this to make a big difference in ticket lines. Try the Dream Catcher, Super Himalaya, Starship 200 & Wacky Worm Coaster! Go to Dreamland’s website www. dreamlandamusements.com for more information.

Back this year – Sunflower Farms

Pizza & Vinnie Lanovara in a fresh new location near the Dairy Bar! Plenty of great seating and garlic olive pizza after two years without!

Let’s talk traffic and some insider tips on avoiding it! Tip #1 - arrive early and stay late if you can. Plenty of seating and resting spots at the Fair. Enjoy an easy day. Tip #2 - Weekends and perfect fall weather days are busiest. Adjust your plans accordingly. Tip #3 – come into the Fair arriving from the North and leave the same way if possible. Good news – our ticket lines move fast and even faster if you buy them online.

Our full program is available at www.fryeburgfair.org and printed copies are available now at the Fair office and all around the grounds during Fair week. All entry forms for exhibitors and vendors can be found online.

This year is the 85th consecutive year of our Baby Beef Show and we’re proud of this agricultural milestone. Randy Hall, the superintendent of the Beef Department at Fryeburg Fair says, “Fryeburg is the longest running baby beef show in New England and it is, by far, the premiere show of them all. Every kid dreams of winning

Fryeburg. It was that way when I was in 4H as a youngster and it is now.” Hall, now 60, knows what he’s talking about as he won in 1977, 1980 and 1981. His mother, Pauline Small, won three times in the 50’s. They are the only parent/child to have won it three times each. Fellow Mainers and three-time champions include Morris Keane in the 40’s, Julie Jack in the 70’s and Amy McGee in the late 90’s/00’s.” To give more background on this show, Hall adds, “Each year Fryeburg Fair donates eight steers for the calf scramble held on Friday morning at the Grandstand at 10 a.m. Ten 4H kids participate in the scramble and eight of them win a steer. The next year those steers and the kids who have raised them from scramble calves return to the Fair for showing and auctioning. The auction is held at the Livestock Show Arena on Fridays after the scramble. Anyone can bid on them. These animals are where your grocery store prime rib comes from. It’s the best of the best, the top cuts. In the last few years the price has been $2.50 per pound live weight. So a thousand-pound steer goes for $2,500.” The 2022 Fryeburg Fair annual fair poster with artwork by Johanna Hoffman of Saco honors our Baby Beef program.

David Andrews, General Superintendent, says, “We’re always making improvements at the Fair. We’re very excited about Dreamland Amusements. The midway is going to feel new and better this year. We’ve added another 50 picnic tables and have focused on improving seating and rest areas in order for fairgoers to enjoy all we offer. We have more ATM machines, expanded food options, and have made the midway more spacious. It’s going to be a great year.”

The 2022 Fryeburg Fair opens at 7 a.m. on Sunday, October 2nd and highlights include the Firemen’s Muster, 4H Horse Show, Sheepdog Trials, the first of four Pig Scrambles, Ox and Draft Horse Pulling, Flower, Poultry, Dairy Goat, Fleece, Fiber and Sheep Shows,

Wreath making, Baking Contests, a Duck Herding Demonstration (new this year!) and the very popular Tractor & Big Rig Pull! Check our program for times and durations.

Woodsmen’s Field Day is on Monday, October 3rd starting at 9 a.m. and is the largest spectator woodsmen’s event in North America. Contestants come from all over the U.S. and Canada to compete in over 34 woods skills events. The Fair’s very popular Women’s Skillet Throw starts at noon followed by the Men’s Anvil Toss. Both events open to members of the public who wish to throw heavy objects!

Tuesday, October 4th is Senior Citizen’s Day ― and we celebrate being that young by giving free admission to all those 65 and older!

This year’s Night Show 2022 roster brings you Nouveau Redneck (Rock-Monday), The Eli Young Band (Country-Tuesday), Dirty Deeds-The AC/DC Experience (Wednesday), Rave X, The Outer Limits Tour (Freestyle Motorsports Show-Thursday), Alexandra Kay (Country-Friday followed by our annual fireworks show. Saturday’s Night Show has yet to be announced but is coming soon.

The Grand Parade on Saturday, October 8th begins at 10 am. Grab your coffee and breakfast and don’t miss this narrated showcase of the Fair’s best livestock, floats, bands, businesses and antique cars.

We’ve got great food vendors, including certified gluten-free options, shopping, crafts, gifts, musicians, entertainers, flower arts, fiber arts, farm & history museums, two beer tents, 3,000 head of cows, horses, oxen, poultry, rabbits, and more. To enjoy one of our 3,200 campsites call 207-935-2912 or email camping@fryeburgfair.org. Meet your friends and have an easy, fun stay at Maine’s largest & best fair.

General Admission continues to be $12 daily and includes the 8 pm Night Show. Tickets can be pre-purchased online or at the gate in person. Weekly passes (all 8 days) are $80 and must be purchased at the Fair in person. Children under 12 are always free. Tuesday is Senior Citizen’s Day (65 & over are admitted free). Gates open at 7 am. Harness Racing starts at 1:30 Tuesday thru Sunday. Group tickets sales available from the Fair Office. For further information on Fryeburg Fair, visit www.fryeburgfair.org or email info@fryeburgfair.org or call (207) 935-3268.

Fryeburg Fair is a family tradition. Love it as a child and come back with your own children and grandchildrenwe’ll be waiting for you.