The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-12-04


test intelligence gives assurance Of the
present personal safety of our citizens
and missionaries. Though thus far
no lives of American citizens have been
sacrificed, there can he no doubt that
serious loss and destruction of mis-
sion property have resulted from riot
Gus conflicts and outrageous attacks.
BY treaty several of the most power
full European powers have secured a
right to assume a duty not only in be
half of their own citizens and in fur
therance of their own interests, but
| as agents of the Christian world, their
right is to enforce such conduct Of
Turkish Government as will restrain
fanatical brutality, and if this fails
their duty is to SO interfere as to in
sure against such dreadful occur
| rences in Turkey as have lately
shocked civilization, The powers de
clare 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
NEW CONSULS IN TURKEY.
The new consulates at Erzeroum
and Harpoot, for which appropriation
was made last session, have been pro-
yisionalIy filled by trusted employees
of the Department of State. These
appointees, though now in Turkey,
| have not yet received their eXequaturs.
ARBITRATION IN VENEZUELA.
The arbitration of the claim OF The
Venezuela Steam Transportation Com
panv, under the treaty of january
10Th, 1892. between the United States
and Venezuela, resulted in an award
i'm favor Of the claimant.
ANOTHER VENEZUELAN TROUBLE
The government has used its good
| offices towards composing the differ
enccs between Venezuela on the hand
and France and Belgium on the other,
growing out Of the dismissal deemed
offensive to Venezuela. Although that
dismissal was coupled with a cordial
request that other more personally
agreeable ENJOYS be sent in their stead,
rupture of intercourse ensued, and
still continues.
THE CONSULAR SERVICE.
In view of the growth of our inter
ests in foreign countries and the en-
couraging prospects for a general eX-
pansion of our commerce, the question
OF an improvement 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 service
to the trade and industries Of the
country, the need of some plan of APP
pointment and control which would
tend to secure a higher average of
efficiency can not be denied. The inn
portance of the subject has led the Exc
cutive to consider what steps might
properly be taken without additional
Legislation to answer the need OF 4 bet
ter system of consular appointments.
The matter having been committed to
the consideration of the Secretary of
State, in pursuance of his recommends
tons, an Executive order was issued
on the Goth of September, 1895, by the
terms of which il is provided that af-
ter that date any vacancy in consul
late or commercial agency with an am
nual salary or compensation of official
fees of not more than 81, 500 or less
than $1,000 should be filed either by
transfer or promotion from some other
position under the Department of
State of a character tending to qualify
the incumbent for position to be
filed by the appointment of a person
not under the Department of State,
but having previously served there UNI
der and shown his capacity and fitness
for consular duty or by the appoint
ment of person who, having been Sc
lected by the President and sent to
board for examination, is found, upon
such examination, to be qualified for
the position. Posts which pay less
than 81 900 being usually, on account of
their small compensation, filled by
selection from residents of the locali-
ty, it was not deemed practical to put
them under the new system
The compensation of So, 500 was
adopted as the maximum limit IN tie
classification for the reason that con
sular officers receiving mere than that
sum are often charged with functions
and duties scarcely inferior in dignity
and Importance TO that of diplomatic
agents, and it was therefore thought
best to continue their selection in the
discretion of the Executive without
subjecting them to examination be-
fore a board. Excluding seventy-one
places with compensation at present
less than 81 ,000 and fifty-three places
above the maximum in compensation,
the number OF positions remaining
within the scope of the order is one
hundred and ninety-six. This number
viii undoubtedly be increased by the
inclusion of consular officers whose re-
muneration in fees, now less than
$1,000, Will be augmented with the
growth of our foreign commerce and
return to more favorable business
conditions
In execution of the executive order
referred to, the Secretary of State has
designated as board to conduct the
prescribed examination the Third As
sistant Secretary of State, the Solicitor
OF the Department of State, and the
Chief of the Consular Bureau. and has
specified the subjects to which such
examinations shall relate 1t is not
assumed that this system will prove a
full measure of consular reform. 1t is
quite probable that actual experience
will show particulars in which the or
der already issued. may be amended,
and demonstrate that, for the best re-
suits, appropriate legislation by Con-
gress is imperatively required.
In any event these efforts to improve