New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-17
DIPLOMATIC SALARIES.
IT'S A HARDSHIP FOR POOR MAN To
REPRESENT THIS GOVERNMENT.


[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIpUNE.l
Washington Feb. 1.-THE question OF made
quate salaries in the diplomatic service has it,
annual airing in Congress along with appropria-
lions but makes apparently no Roadway. II
never falls. however. to call out interesting dis
cussions and not infrequently views from those
economical statesmen who are distinguished Tor
their antpathy to dress coats at home and ex-
trayagant display abroad. because both are
equally "undemocratic." 1t is an old complaint.
and one not without reason, that the pay OF
American representatives abroad is far below that
of foreign representatives of the same class. The
highest salary In the United States diplomatic SER
vice is si7JOO a year. This included only the four
frst-class missions--Great Britain Germany,
France and Russia-until about three years ago,
when Mexico was added. In the second class
Spain Italy, Austria, China, Japan and Brazil
the pay Is $4,000 year, and for the third Glass;
which includes Turkey. the Argentine Republic,
Peru Chill Colombia. Costa RIca. Honduras.
Guatemala Nicaragua and Salvador. the pay IL
go 600 a wear The next grade includes eight
four;h-cass missions at 1850 which Is rldcuiousy
small pay for the title OF Envoy Extraordinary
and Minister Plenpotentiary, though IL Is true
enough that these posts never go begging ior lack
OF patriotic citizens anxious TO serve their country
abroad
Something less than two years ago the grade OF
Minister was raised 10 that of Ambassador, 10 In
clude the posts at London. Paris Berlin ana
Rome. 1t fully understood at the time that
raising the grade would not carry any increase OF
paw but would simply obtain the advantages Vi
precedence given to an AmbassadH over Minis
ter in matters Of diplomatic busin4 to say no'h-
ing Of social affairs. And now theNuestion comes
to the fore again whether the grade Of Ambassa'
dor with the advantages OF official precedence 50
much desired. does not carry greater sociai opHsa-
tons which II is impossible to meet on the present
salary ofsSi7.50) year. OF course there are no
d3anr 90
cla matter and incidental clerk hire the Amoas-
sador must pay for his house always FURNISHED
and all expenses OF entertaining out OF MS salary
or in the event of that falling snort OUT Oh MS
private means II he has any Now ana tnen
man represents the United States abroad who is
millionaire II he pays out his entire salary 'or
house rent IL IL no hardship for him to dra" on MS
private fortune to entertain and keep up an estao-
lshment beftting the dignity OF MS pace Inc
hardship falls on his successor, II the latter u
poor man. he is sure TO be In nine cases OUT OF
ten and his life becomes a burden through. the
effort TO continue some show OF the same style OF
living.
The paw OF the American Ambas sadors IS much
smaller than that Of foreign Ambassadors al WASH
ington. whose social obligations are no greater ana
who have besides free residences owned by their
Governments or allowances for the rent OF them
The Ambassador OF Great Britain receives $3.50
wear: the Embassy which includes offices Is owned
ard furnished by the British Government, which
also adds allowance for repairs TINS sum pe'ns
controlled by the Ambassador. Fuel lights service.
stables and social entertainments are PAID TOT oy
the Ambassador out CT his salary, which at S-1'
he does not regard in the least muniiicen sum-
But IL is nearly double the salary OF Mr., Bayafh,
VINO entertains quite az much in London as Sir
Julian Pauncefo.e does in Washington besiHes
the regular offcia. entertainments on the c'h'r
side there IL the American always abroad Nho
mus, ba entertained whereas the Bri-n far less
fgh
and at any rate would never expect op-n-nouse
courtesy from the representative OF his Govern
ment. And yet )ut fof A salary but trine more
than half as large. the American Ambassador in
addition to greater corresponding expenses, mast
pay for his house.
The German Embassy has handsome residence.
with Offices. owned by the German Government
Ambassador receives $1,000 year. which IL
cludes his salary and allowances for entertaining
and keeping up the establishment. Mr.. Runyon' AT
Berlin. who mus, pay for his house and all other
expenses out OF his salary OF $3.50 entertsins fully
as much in the German capital as Baron Won Saur-
ma does In Washington. The Amba ssador Of France
receives $4,000 year which includes ms saiary
and allowances for keeping up the Embassy. but
out OF this he pays for his house. lie controls the
whole and practically likes ms own sa.sfE'
though he not all likely TO come out ahead but on
,he contrary TO run behind long France does not
own the Embassy residence. The Ambassador OK
Italy receives about $1,000 year. which includes
salary and allowance for all expenses except once
rent But the Ambassador regards this as q mea'
gre sum- though i; is 5000 more than Wayne Mac
Neagh the American Ambassador al Rome. re-
,e,ves hut who fortunately can meet deficiencies
from his private means. Italy. like France. does
not own her Embassy residence. IL Is safe 10 say
that during the fourteen years service OF her pres
ent representative. Baron Fsva. italy has paid out
in high rents for furnished houses and expenses or
frequent changes OF abode sum sufficient TO puy
bap for Ter Washington
The same may be said OF France IN corresponding
degree during the five years service or the present
representative. NJ. Patenotre.
Besides Great Britain and Germany. Legation resi-
handsomely furnished by those governments, and
Including suitable accommodations for offices More
Of the late Justice Matthews win the pres sea %,
for rents alone quite sufficient 10 purcha>e resi-
dence spacious enough even for that Legation.
which is the largest in Washington. This the
ago. but for the sole drawback Of the troublesome
ana irritating C9nese he HaSan Rs
ain. Germany. Mexico. Japan and Corea over otner
than on Under he me
United States would possess similar adyanIases
favor o OF the purchase Of residences for the se Of
American Ambassadors. rattle: than the increase
greater advantage in every respect than adding
few thousand dollars TO salaries. and, In the long
1t could not fall to be more satisfactory to the
representatives themselves. who would then be able
TO make both ends meet in the great question OF
expenses.
Besides all the smaller details of annoyance and
inconvenience involved In house-huntng and NOV
ing and exorbant rents, often for poor accomro-
direction of permanency to our shifting diplomatic
Service by securing at least the permanently OF
abode 1t would give safety for officla, archives
which they do not now possess and add certain
prestige OF ownership never enjoyed by lsga;ions
which knock about from pillar to post" Mr.. Kas-
son. for many years leading member OF the Com.
mlttee on Foreign Affairs In the House. afterwarf
Minister 10 Austria. later to Germany. and ac-
knowledged authority on diplomatic affairs. de-
and credit of the United States to purchase resi-
dences for her Ambassadors abroad and more salts
factory to the Ambassadors themselves than an
| increase of salary. Mr.. Kassons opinions carry
the weight OF personal experience. Leading mem
Senate and Foreign Affairs In the House. are also
| OF "a nninnn Enralan I.epa Ion re.lienc.s