The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-12-04

By treaty several of the most powerful
European Powers have secured right
and have assumed duty not only,in be-
hat of their own citizens and in further
ance Of their own interests. but as agents
of the Christian world Their right is to
enforce such conduct of the Turkish gov
eminent as will restrain fanatical brutal
lty, and If this fails their duty is to SO
Interfere as to prevent such dreadful &C.
currences in Turkey a have lately
shocked civilization. The Powers declare
this right and this duty to be theirs alone
and it is earnestly hoped that prompt and
effective action on their part will not be
delayed.
The new consulates at Erzeroum and
Harpoot. for which appropriation was
made at the last session, have been pro-
visionally filled by trusted employees of
the department. of state These appoin-
tees, though now in Turkey, have not yet
received their exequaturs.
VENEZUELAN AFFAIRS.
The arbitration of the claim of the
Venezuela Steam Transportation COM
pany under the treaty of January 49,
1892, between the United States and
Venezuela, resulted in an award in favor
of the claimant The government has
used its good offices toward composing
the differences between Venezuela on the
one hand and France and Belgium on the
ouher, growing out of the dismissal of the
representatives of those Powers on the
ground OF a publication deemed offensive
to Venezuela. Although that dismissal
was coupled with cordial request that
other more personally agreeable ENJOYS be
sent in their stead, rupture of inter-
course ensued, and still continues
CnNrcr1r . n
In view of the growth of our interests
in foreign countries and the encouraging
prospects for general expansion of our
commerce, the question of an improve
ment In the consular service has increased
IN Importance and urgency. Though
there is no doubt that the great body OF
consular officers are rendering valuable
services to the trade and industries of
the country, the need of some plan of ap-
ointment to control which would tend
to secure higher average of officers can
not be denied. The Importance of the
suDJeot has led the executive to consider
Wna0 Steps might properly be taken with
ont audltlonal legislation to answer the
need OF better system of consular APP
polnuments: The matter having been
committed to the consideration of the
Secretary of State in pursuance of his
recommendations, an executive order was
issued on the goth of September, 1895, by
the terms OF which it is provided that
alter Iha6s date any vacancy in a consulate
or commercial agency with an annual
salary or compensation from official fees
OF not more than $500 or less than $1,000
shoulu pe niled either by transfersor pro-
motlon from some other position under
the department. of state of a character
tendlng to qualify the incumbent for
the posltlon to be filled, or by the APP
poln0lhent OF person not under The De-
partment of State but having previously
sefveu hereunder and shown his ca
paclty and fitness for consular duty. or
by the appointment of person who.
having been selected by the President and
semi TO board for examination, is found,
upon sueh examination, to be qualified
for the position. Posts which nav less
than $1,000 being usually. on account of
tnelr small compensation, filled by selec-
tlon from residents of the locality, it
was not deemed practicable tossput them
uhuer 1ns new system. The compensa-
ZION OF u, QUO was adopted as the maxi
mum limit IN the classification for the
REASON tha5 consular officers receiving
more IMAM that sum are often charged
with functions and duties scarcely in
ieriof In dignity and Importance to those
" diplomatic agents and it was therefore
tho1ght best to continue their selection
IN tne discretion of the Executive without
SupJectlng them to examination before q
board. Excluding seventy -one places with
compensation at present less than 81, 600
ana nfty-three places above the maxi
mum income compensation. the number
OF positions remaining within the sco e
OF the order is one hundred and ninety
SIX. This number Twill undoubtedly be
increased by the inclusion of consular
officers whose remuneration in fees now
less than $1,000, will be augmented
with the growth of our foreign COM
meroe and return to n ore favorable bus
mess conditions, In the execution of the