Concordia, a tiny country not even on the map, becomes important when a United Nations debate ends in a deadlock and Concordia's president, known as "The General," holds the deciding vote. Because The General does not understand the issue in debate, he abstains from voting and hurries home, with the Soviet and U. S. ambassadors in pursuit and wooing him with economic aid. Determined to remain neutral, he fosters a romance between Juliet Moulsworth, the American ambassador's daughter, and Igor Romanoff, son of the Russian ambassador. As the two world powers plunge desperately into such diplomatic activities as spying, bribery, and wiretapping, The General arranges an Independence Day ceremony and has the young couple secretly married in historical disguises. Their horrified parents initially are outraged, but The General eventually makes them see the humor of the situation.