The evening times., 1899-08-02
GERMAN CONSULAR PLANS.
Extensions md improvements Con-
tempIated by the Government.


Frank H Mason Consul General at Ber
lin, sends to the State Department some
interesting information regarding the plans
of the German government to reorganize
its consular service. The scope and purpose
Of the proposed reform, Mr.. Mason says,
have been dictated by the new and enlarg
ed functions which are imposed upon the
foreign service of Germany by the expan
sion CT her foreign trade, and by the val
liant fight which that country is preparing
to make for a'leading and permanent place
in all important foreign markets.
AS long as Germany was an agricultural
state, without colonies or any large export
trade, except in manufactured products,
which went mainly TO the United States
and neighboring countries in Europe, her
consular service, organized on the old
lines, served satisfactorily for the protec-
ticn of German subjects, and such other
incidental duties as might be required of
it.
Under that system, cOnsuls were educated
as lawyers and diplomats. passed the pre-
scribsd assessors examination, underwent
a period OF training in the foreign office and
became typical Prussian officials with
good command of languages. fair knowl-
the history of treaties, but no practical ac-
quaintance with the industrial process, COM
mercial values, or mercantile usages. As
trained officials belonging to the privileged
class. Mr.. Mason writes, many of the i'm
perial consuls and their subordinates-as is
now ascertained by the German press-haye
eyinced a certain contempt for trade. The
weak point in the service is admitted to be
the plan of changing the consuis about from
hn. 81
have no opportunity to give the service the
benefit OF their experience and knowledge
of certain localities.
Mr.. Mason says that the consular service
is to be made. like the great subsidized
steamship lines, the effective agent of the
government for pushing the trade of Ger
man merchants into every corner of the
civilized world; and it will be reorganized,
trained and equipped for its work with
the same scientific thoroughness that char
acterizes the military, industrial, and edu-
cational systems of this country.
If present indications are fulfilled, the
officialism which has heretofore restricted
the usefulness of the German consular
service will be sacrificed to practical util-
ity. Young men carefully selected and spe-
cially educated for service in a designated
field will go out and pass from clerk
through successive grades to consul in that
one district, ana as the nnal re"arad OF
competent, faithful service be recalled for
duty in the foreign office, which will in
time become a bureau of experts, whose
aggregate knowledge will cover the whole
realm of German export trade.
AS has already happened in law. medi-
cine, engineering-in nearly every field of
applied science-the day of all-around
men, with a smattering of many things
but a thorough knowledge of nothing, is
definitely past, and the successes of the fu-
ture, says the Consul General, Will be won
by the nations as well as by the individuals
who can bring the highest attainments,
the largest experience, and the most con-
summate proficiency to bear where compe-
tition is keenest and the richest prizes are
to be won.