The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-05-07
THE GoNsUL.Aa SERVICE.
Reforms Advocated by Americans In
the Orient.

the Orient.
NEW YORK, May IA letter received
in this country from Shanghai. signed by
V. G. Lyman, Secretary, on behalf Of the
American Association Of China, under date
of April shows that the association takes
lively interest in the consular reform
movement, and recently adopted resoIu-
tions urging Congress to pass the "BiIl to
Remodel the Consular Service" which has
been presented in both the Senate and
House. The members Of this association
have had ample opportunity to see with
their own eyes the faults in the present
consular system of this Government, and
TO form conclusions at first hand as to the
improvements needed TO place Il on level
with those of other countries. The posi-
ton OF foreigners in China, as the letter
says, makes them especially dependent
upon their consular representatives Ior
protection, both as TO their lives and prop
erty. and in respect of their commercial
and other interests, under the rights and
privileges secured TO them by treaty with
the Government OF this country As IL may
not be always remembered By their friends
at home. they are subject to the jurisdie-
tion OF their respective nationalities. and
il is therefore essential that their repre-
sentativeS should be men of character and
capacity, and thoroughly conversant with
the laws which they are called upon 10 ad-
mil lister"
clause OF the proposed bill which wins
the particular approval OF the association
requires that consular officers appointed to
cour ,ri1s where. as in China eXtraterritO-
rialit is provided for by treaty. shall have
pasS-d an examination in the principles
OF common law. the rules OF evidence and
the trial Of civil ard criminal cases. This
qualification Will not be thought unrsa-
sorable. perhaps. when il is considered
that American consuls have almost un-
limited power. extending even to capital
cases. The Chinese language presents 50
many difficulties 10 a beginner that the
association makes the following sugges-
ton:
a further provision Of peculiar appli-
cability to the service in this country that
We should like 20 see Incorporated in the
regulations is one for the appointment OF
student interpreters. in order 10 place our
service on par with that OF Great Brit
ain and the Continental nations At pres
ent our cOEsuls labor under a great 81 ad-
vantage in having no personal acquaintance
with the Chinese language, while their du-
ties entail constant intercourse with the
native officials and the hearing OF judicial
cases to which natives are party or ap-
pear as witnesses. Proficiency in the Ian
guage would be CT great assistance in con-
nection with the frequent cases arising
from our missionary interests in interior
stations. remote from the treaty ports.
which our cOnsuls are called upOn 20 adj
Just Such proficiency can Cnly be acquired
by years of study. and with this comes a
knowledge OF native character that only
heightened experience can yield. To in
duce young men OF ability 10 enter this
oh ~ 4 .
that il be made not only permanent dur
ing good behavior. but that the incumbents
should be IN the regular line of promotion,
and that proficiency in the language should
rank high among the qualifications for SO b
promotion. In the British service al the
consular officers have entered as student
interpreters and risen thence through the
various grades 10 the highest posts and
N some they have been transferred 20 the
diplomatic service
One Of the blemishes on the urese ut
Consular Service is considered by many 20
be the frequent changes OF consuls, due to
political influence at home. The bill seeks
10 obviate this. and the association Gem
mends that intent in these words
The feature Of peFmanency in the serv-
. ice. under the operation OF the Civil Serv-
ice laws. with promotion for merit. ETC.
for which the pending bill provides. Is O-s
that we cannot too highly commend Con
diticns in China have 50 little in common
with those OF civilized lands that the fire.
quent changes in our consular officers are
peculiarly unfortunate They have sclrce-
~ time 10 acquaint themselves with the
duties OF their positions before a change OF
Administration nay cause their removal
and supersession by inexperienced success
crs- That the service has net suffered
more seriously may be taken as evidence
OF the Characteristic adaptability OF our
oOuntrymen 10 uCvel conditions. but cases
have not been licking where utterly unfit
and inefficient officers have secured ap-
poltments. 10 the no slight discredit and
disadvantage Of those they came 10 repre-
sent
The pending bill cOnteInplates no pres
ent removal OF existing OtIiSsrs. as il ex-
plicitly provides for their continuance in
Office for two years. after which they shall
be privileged to compete under the rules
for reappoinJment or promotion. A per
manent career is therefore opened for all
efficient officers and il can scarcely be
doubted that the bill viii have their hear
~ approval. II is not 10 De supposed.
however, that the existing consuls in East
ern lands would be expected to qualify in
/ Oriental languages. as in the case Of stu
dent interpreters, although some acQuaInt-
ance with them might reasonably be ex-
pected after a term OF years In the case
OF the Chinese Foreign Customs Service.
although the appointees were, for the most
part. at the outSet quite ignorant Of the
language. its study was made a condition
of promotion. and al present a good knowl-
edge of IL is sine qua non, with the result
that a most efficient stan. with an emf
nently worthy representation Of our own
eountymen or il. has been secured. Can
not the great Republic open to its sons a
career abroad equal to that offered by the
Chinese Empire2-
1t is not in America only that Chinese
affairs are attracting marked attention
Several Of the nations OF Europe are press
ing their interests there by all the means
at their command. and one Of their most
efficient means is a well managed consular
service.