The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-27

was charged with negotiating the DELI
cate treaties OF 1884 and 1885. After an
other rest at home, where he was occu-
pied on the responsible international
commission of the railways of the
Pyrenees, he was sem to Morocco in
1883, and then, after several years at
that post. to Washington. 1t is evil
dent that in such "A career diplomacy
has been learned as a trade by cosmo-
politan experience.
experience is mainly directed in the
line of commerce. 1t Is not expected
that one beginning consular career
shall afterwards be switched off into
the diplomatic service. This actually
happened to De Lesseps. but with a
lamentable fiasco as the result. In
fact, those who think that American
consuls might become of great use to
our vertically infant trade abroad had
best beware of the intermittent heresy
which would suppress the ministers to
give their work to the consuls. Inter-
national politics and the advancement
of commerce are two vitality different
things.
FRENCH TRAINING.
In France. as would be expected from
the country of bookkeeping and func-
tionarism, the theoretical training of
consul is something complete in its way
The actual work of the consuls is sup
plemented by the chambers of COM
1nerce, which send out competent
graduates of those higher commercial
schools where commerce has been re-
duced to a science to report on any
field of special interest If, with all
this. French commerce seems not to
profit in the measure of the pains
taken the fault remains with the
French merchant who often intrusts
MS wares to German agents in the
Foreign land. 1t Is because the French
viii not emigrate and do not easily
learn strange languages. Without their
consular service they would fare much
worse.
AS the sample of a not extraordinary
career, though recommended by more
than ordinary efficiency. may be taken
that OF M. Bruwaert, who has just been
made consul-general at New York
After his university studies and taking
his degree in law he was attached, at
xhe age of twenty-Six, to that depart
enent of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
which has the direction of consulates
and commercial affairs. Three years
later he was formally named eleve-
consul c"consular apprentice'). and in
the following year set to editing the
commercial analyses of the ministry.
This was probably the first occasion
on which he received payment for his
services. After another year he was
made secretary of the administrative
commission, and then, successfully,
secretary of the international postal
commission, of the monetary confer
ence, of the commercial negotiations
with Sweden ana Belgium, and finally,
after nine years of study and practice.
consul at Chicago. He was in charge
at New York for a time three years
later, was connected with tho negotia-
ton of the treaty of commerce With
China in 1885, consul at Melbourne in
1886 and back to Chicago as CONSUL
general in 1887. Here he signalized him.
self by the persistence and minuteness
with which he informed his country
men of the applications of the MGKin-
ley tariffs, and by the zeal with which
he encouraged the faint-hearted French
exhibitors at the worlds fair.
A final example of what France ex-
poets from her consular service in help
ing on her commerce was seen during
M. Bruwaert's visit home just before
his late promotion. In Paris in Bor-
deaux and in other great centers of
trade he gave, by order of the Minister
of Foreign Affairs, audience for sew
eral days to all the merchants and man.
ufacturers who desired personal infor-
nation on the new tariffs or on any
other point connected with their busi-
ness. Whatever may be the real ex-
cellences of American consuls under
our present system, doubt if they
could readily constitute themselves into
such a bureau for commercial informa-
ton. 1t is the business of NJ Bruwaert
10 do this, and his whole career has
cannot be the spoils of political vic