The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-17
THE CONSULAR SER
European Countries Select Their Rep
resentatives Carefully.
PhiIadplnhia Record

In Germany all persons who participate
in competitive examinations for appoint
ment to the consular service must be grad
yates of recognized law schools. After
thorough examination the requisite number
of applicants are chosen and set to work
in the offices of the minister of foreign af-
fairs in Berlin These nOviceS remain for
one year in Berlin, and are then sent, for
similar period, to some of the importan
German consulates to receive instructions in
the current work of consular life. If, dur
ing the two years of probation, the least
incapacity on the part of the candidate is
observed, he is dropped without ceremony.
Those who serve two years in satisfac-
tory manner are required to submit to an
examination at the end of that period be-
fore they are finally appointed to small con-
sulates, where they may expect to remain
for number of years. The German con-
SulS are required to work hard and to be
of real service in the matter of expanding
markets for German products In the cOun-
tries where they are stationed. The average
pay of German conSuS is about 1900 marks
a year, though the German consul genera
at New York receives 200 marks. Some
consuls get only 1900 marks, but employ
ment is sure, and the prospect of preferment
always open.
The French consular service is admirably
well organized. Competitive examinations
are held in Paris each year for the purpose
Of selecting men to fill vacancies in the
consular corps: Candidates must be grad
yates of one of the national, normal, scien-
tific military or naval schools, or have
taken q degree at one of the law universe
ties. The examination is both oral and writ
ten, and consists of a series of questions
upon international law, diplomatic history.
constitutional administrative, maritime and
commercial law and political geography.
The candidate is also tested as to his
knowledge of the English and German lam
guages. For successful candidates there
are subsequent examinations in the English
or Spanish language, commercial geogra-
ply, and the tariff legislation of France
and other countries. The novices remain
for two years in the offices of the minister
of foreign affairs, and are instructed in all
branches of consular work. They are then
sent to different consulates to gain practi-
cal experience before they are made 1nde-
pendent consular officers. These pupils are
called cOnSuPS SupplcantS.
In the British consular service vacancies
are also filled by means of competitive eX
aminatons. Candidates are examined in
French. British mercantile and commercial
law, and are tested to their ability to
deal with questions arising between British
ship owners, masters and seamen. In addi-
ton to their ability to speak and write the
required to know enough of the language of
the country to which they are sent to carry
on the ordinary business of the consulate
with ease.
Appointments are made for life. and pro-
motion is to some extent determined by So
cial and political influence. After ten years
of service British consular officer may re-
tire upon pension equal to fOur-twelfths
of his salary. An additional twelfth is add
ed for each subsequent five years of service.
The British consus have, as a rule,
slighter degree of routine work to do than
American consuls, and demands upon their
time are by no means so generous in its
treatment of consular officers than is the
government Of the United States.
The British consul general at New York
has salary of $4,000 a year, with liberal
allowances. At Marseilles, France. the
British consul receives $500. and the United
States consul $500 year. The same differ
ence in pay exists at Hamburg. The consul
of the United States at Annoy, China. re-
ceives $500 year; the British consul at the
same post, $1,000 AT Barcelona the consul
of the United States. who has great deal
of work to, do. receives 81 500. The British
consurs salary at the same point is s.. 400.
The British consuls write exact and elab-
crate commercial reports. and they are
urged to do sound and systematic work by
the hope of promotion. and the certainty
that what they do will be justly valued A
brilliant report. indicative of much labor
and ability. is often the means of securing
swift and splendid promotion in the British
Service