The evening times., 1899-03-21
FOREIGN PRAISE OF
AMERICAN CONSULS
Superiority Of Our Service
Generally Acknowledged.
Compliments From La Revue Diplo-
ma:ique.
Conspicuous Illustrations of Enter
prise on the Part of United
States Agents.

The State Department has received from
Consul General Mason. of Berlin, copy
OF an article published in the organ of the
La Revue Diplomatique" which comments
on the United States consular service in
highly complimentary way. A transla-
tion of the interest,-g article follows:
The Americans are practical men, and there in
stinct for business is marvellous Nothing IS more
characteristic in this respect than the organi-
zation of their consular corps. The consular serv-
ice of the United States. is remarkable instru-
ment of expansion. 1t is unique and resembles
none other. Its duty Is that OF sort OF bureau
of information at the expense of the State. 1t is
recruited principally from journalists, who carry
into their official career the trained instinct OF
observation, the quick grasp OF passing events
which belong to their former profession. They
remain in close and sympathetic touch with their
former readers. Their letters, which their col
leagues reprint, have the familiarity of in
terview. They describe how their family enjoy
their new residence, whether their house has an
exotic character, and the following Sunday sup
piement reproduces it with photographs. They
address their reports to the Government, bat they
know that as soon as they are received the press
will reprint them and that the whole country
will derive advantage from them.
In some countries, the official printing office
lesurely prepares the proofs OF consular reports.
These are returned for correction by the consuls.
anu NIeH tiey HHaly appear tney are no longer
of interest. They are of a historic rather than
business character. But the American knows that
his notes will 20 without delay Immediately to
the public, and he gives in them, like good re-
porter, information down to the latest hour
The American consul does not understand that
he has commercial situation to maintain, but
always a commercial situation to conquer His
ingenuity Is exercised to invent and find new
markets, and in his study of ways and means he
deseends TO the most minute details
FOR instance, the Americans have wheat to sell.
Inc consul at Annoy proposes TO import il into
emma But the Chinese do not eat wheat. They
must then be taught to eat It. 1t is noticed
that the Chinese .'gargoutiers'' (cooks) form as
sociations IN which they readily copy or initiate
each other. The consul suggests that some doz-
ems OF these be selected, wheat given them gratis
and they be taught to make few cheap, simple
dishes. The fashion would spread rapidly among
the restaurants, and from there to the families
Here is an instance of imagination, and at the
saIne time, OF practical good sense. The Ameri-
cans do not lack certain sentimentaity in bus
lness. Last year at Caracas they offered to the
President banquet where were served only dish.
es prepared from products OF American origin.
Enterprsing and ingenious in the countries.
II is above all in Europe that the consuls Of the
United States are active and aggressive. Despite
their colonial conquests, the Americans have
comprehended that the real struggle remains in
the old markets; that there great fields TO
be cultivated; that there especially i the hard
school which will force them to manufacture
and sell better than all others
They have commenced their industrial eHpan-
sion by striking at the heart Of sthe old industry
in conquering the English firms in the Brming-
ham market. Their principles and rules are those
Of sport. The record must De- beaten. Their
consus have won the admiration Of the English
Thes, Consils interest tbemselyes Immediately
after they reach their posts in all that surrounds
them. just they did before a. Journalists That
which they DO not know, they learn. one sees
by this thar the Americans have the art of put.
ting life and initiative into a career where other
, .gTrY
In line with this hattering comment on
the efficiency and activity OF the American
Consul is the report received from Con-
a translation of an article that appeared in
the leading paper OF that city. praising
the efforts Of the United States Consuls in
Italy TO extend American trade to those
markets. Mr. Monaghan adds that DR..
Reckow. a writer Of European reputation,
in his book on the reform of the German
consular service. says that United States
Consuls give their Government better
service and better information than any
on earth.
Consul Mcfarland sends from Noting
ham, under date OF February Il. 1899 a
clipping from London journal reporting a
| discussion in the House of Commons on
the British consular reports. One of the
! members, in a subsequent interview. COM
| fcers with that of the Americans. He
| said, in part:
| The United States Government issues five dis
| tinct publications. There are the two large an
nual volumes, containing reports on trade and
| commerce, manufactures, finance. customs laws
transportation facilities, etc, with special refer
ence TO opportunities for obstacles to, the ex-
| tension of sales for United States products
| abroad. Since the beginning Of 1898 they have
| issued daily edition of the Consular Re
| ports,'' so that within a few hours the manu-
| featuring and commercial community are in re
| ceipt of the information.
| Consul Halstead, of Birgmingham on
| February 20, 1899, says that the trade pa
per Paper and Pulp commenting on the
same subject, concludes:
| The United States is ahead OF the world in re
| gard TO quick consular reports, and TO this fac
| alone can be traced much OF the loss suffered
| by English traders