elcome to Lilliland, Check Your Gun at the Gate

ome time ago Baron Von Lodge was the head of a small country near Switzerland known as Lilliland.

Lady Angela’s niece was going to have a debutant ball soon in Lilliland. Some young men who were in the military were invited to the ball. Official invitations were sent and acceptances were received. A few days before the grand event, the military guests arrived at the border of Lilliland.

Then something happened. The military men are ordered to never turn over their guns, but to enter Lilliland they must check their guns at the border station or not be admitted.

One of the guests decided not to turn over his gun, but let another military man hold onto it while he went into Lilliland to speak with Lady Angela’s niece about what could be done. Lady Angela did not know what to do and decided to ask the Baron. The Baron said that he too did not know what to do and decided to ask his chief advisor, Professor Hamblin.

Professor Hamblin said that the only solution was to have him contact the commander of the military base to see what could be done. The commander said that he would send two officers with a special directive that would give permission to the military men to give their guns to the commander’s representative who would remain outside Lilliland.

The plan worked fine and the military young men were admitted to Lilliland to become part of the festivities. A special note from the commander asked about Lady Angela of Alpine Castle. The note indicated that he knew a relative of Lady Angela’s and he wished to inquire about his long lost acquaintance. Lady Angela answered back rather promptly along with an invitation to attend the festivities. He replied promptly that he would be delighted to attend.

Could you imagine the surprise when the military men attended the event only to find that their commander was also in attendance? Needless to say, they were on their best behavior during their stay in Lilliland.

Lilliland’s strength came not from its farm products, nor its fish from the lake, nor grapes from the vineyards for the wine, but from its contacts in international circles. Diplomacy and public relations can never be underrated.