The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-07
Il CONSUL WITHOUT AN ExEoUATUR.
Inside Story or the Transfer or cur Consulate
from Harmon to Eiborfsld.

Inside Story Or the Transfer or cur Consulate
rrsm Harmon to Eisorfsld.
WASHINGTON, Dot. 6.-Thcre 10 an interesting
inside story to the transfer Of the United States
Consulate from Barmen to Elberfeld, told in
THE Sun this morning. The change was made
in tho regular Diplomatic Appropriation bill.
approved by President Cleveland on Feb. 20
last, upon the recommendation of Henry +.
Merritt, who was for four years Consul at Bar
men. He recommended O change Of tho loca-
ton on both commercial and political grounds.
The two towns are closely connected, and each
10 the seat of large textile mills, but at Elbcr-
field are leading German officials who are not
found in Barmen. including the prosecuting
attorney for the district. and 1t Is the seat of tho
othor leading consulates. One of the moving
reasons for the transfer, however, was thu treat
ment accorded to American citizens born in
Germany who might return to their father
land. The regular Diplomatic Appropriation
bill, therefore, made no appropriation for q con-
sulate at barmen, but appropriated the salary
berfeld.
storm among the manufacturers and exporters
of Barmen. A meeting of the Chamber Of Com
merce, was called, and q delegation sent to the
prominent Germans in New York to obtain a
reversal OF the action Of the American Govern.
ment.
All that was accomplished was the passage
OF a joint resolution, which was approved on
June 10, two weeks before the beginning Of
the new fiscal year. authorizing the continued
paymen OF salaries to Consuls heretofore ap-
pointed at their old posts until they could be
appointed, qualify, and enter upon thoir duties
at their new posts. The act was intended to be
merely temporary ana had not been officially
transmitted by the State Department in q GER
titled official copy to Barmen when the new
Consul arrived.
1t was for this reason that Mr.. Merritt
made preparations to transfer the consulate
to Elberfeid on the morning of July l. He was
unconscious of the fact that the Chamber of
Commerce of Barmen had proved more influ-
enttal with the State Department and with
Congress than their own officials. Mr.. Bouch-
sein, the nominee OF President Mckinley for
Consult at Barmen, secured permission to
move the consulate back to Barmen, and is still
In charge OF an office in that town. The State
Department Is paying his salary as a United
States Consul, but he has failed to receive his
exequatur from the imperial Government at
Berlin. There is grave doubt whether he will
ever receive it. The Government at Berlin is
not called upon by diplomatic usage to make
any explanation where cXequaturs are thus
withheld, but 1t Is proposed by the State De-
partnent to learn in a seIni-official manner
whether Bouchsein Is ever to be re ,ognized as
Consul OF the United States. If not. it will
be necessary to transfer him to some less par.
ucular country or to drop him from the ser
vice. In the meantime. 1.-THE State Department
is permitting Souchsein to draw his salary at
Barmen, although the Diplomatic Appropria-
ton bill contemplated the final establishment
OF the consulate at Elberfeld.