Connecticut western news., 1897-12-23
CONSULAR CHANGES.
PLANS FOR TIRE EXTENSION OF
 AMERICAN TRADE.
Clifton Tell. Secretary sherman of the Results of Hi. Tour of rnspection---His Recommendations Approved by th. State Department.


 Washington, Dec. RIA new policy ln regard to consular representation is to be inaugurated as a result of an in- spectlon trip made last summer by Robert g. Chiffon. Jr., chief of the con- sular bureau of the state department. Many important changes recommended by Mir. Chiffon have been indorsed by Secretary sherman. and consideration will be given them by the house com nittee on foreign affairs in it's prcpara- ton of the diplomatic and consular ap- propriation bill. Up to the present time the policy of the United states has beon Co pay salaries to consular officers ac- cording to the importance of their posts as determined by the amount of fees received. This system was all we'll enough in It's way. for the more fees rec ceivcd the greater the interests of the United States. But Mir Chilton's visits 10 consulatcs Ill over the world con- vinced him that many representatives of this country abroad were entitled to greater compensation than they re ceived under the present policy of grad ing pay by fees. He found that Amer lean interests were frequently of great CT importance at places where the fees amounted practically to nothing. At most of these consular posts the in- cumbents were not citizens of the Unit cd States. The fees received were en- tirely too small to tempt an American SO far away from home.
 The earnest desire of the present ad- ministration to extend American trade ls one of the main reasons for the in- tention to establish the new system.
 The Search For Foreign Markets.
 As Secretary sherman says In calling the attention of congress to the policy of extensions; Tn the search for for eign markets 1t seems best to look to newly developed or newly opened coun- tries. such as Africa, South and Central America, Mexico. China. Japan, India, Australia, etc. IL Is felt that we have heretofore failed to appreciate the full importance of these outlying offices. and the result has been that we have paid the best salaries and sent the best men to countries where trade Is already de- veloped rather than to fields where the opportunity was greatest for good work.
 This condition has been partly the outgrowth of the mistaken Idea that the importance of a consulate\ depends upon the amount of fees collected. whereas these fees. being principally derived from the certincation of in- voices, simply indicated the volume of goods shipped from the consular dis- trict 10 the United States"
 One of the recommendations is the establishment of consulate at Preto- ria. South African Republic. This is the outcome of the Jameson raid Into tho Transvaal and the arrest of John Hays Hammond and q son of George William Curtis and other American citizens. There was no representative of the United States nearer the Transvaal than Cape Town. and Secretary olney was obliged to fall back on the serv- lees of British consul for the protec- tion of the interests of these men. A large number of Americans are at Jo- hanuesburg, and as Pretoria is not far away and is the capital of the repub- lie, it Is believed to be the proper place for the consulate. It is also proposed to establish a consulate at Dawson City on account of the rush of Americans to the Klondike country. A salary of 5000 Is suggested. This is deemed moderate on account of the cost Of iiv- ing.