New-York tribune., 1902-03-09

nue. st. Gall embroderies. laces. handkerchiefs,
curtains and ramsch goods by the Consul General
sustained by the appraising department in New
York over 100000 There are ten United
States consulates which. combined. help
to the revenue every year enough to meet the
total expenditures of the diplomatic and consular
service. and leave some money for necessary i'm
provements. Two consulates-St. Gall and Coburg
have accomplished this result.
Every position in the United States service
abroad should be filled whenever possible by an
American citizen self-respecting. high minded in
telligent and industrious Our country is fun OF
them. and they be had IL properly paid for
their services. especially If they know that good
record will secure to them reasonable tenure OF
Office Seventy per cent OF all Of subordinate
consular offices abroad filled by foreigners
Some of them able. distinguished. and wealthy
men. but not per cent of them have the least in
terest in the American foreign trade and II they
had they would suppress their interest for fear OF
the criticism and ostracism of their fellow coun-
trymen. which never fails. But few OF them have
any real sympathy in this direction and many OF
them actual hindrance, not even a passive
force. Some of them cannot speak our language.
But few OF them have any idea OF policies for
eign or domestic. and many of them enemies
OF our policy of American commercial expansion.
positions of United States vice-consuls where they
have free access 10 the secrets Of trade move
ments far the consulate holds them well
as access to all of the trade contained in the
The strongest barrier Improvement OF the
service is the unofficial fee system. 1t tempts
eXtoruon; ii creates friction among consuls, IL
often wrongs the American citizen at home and
abroad and IT is sometimes unjust burden to
the foreigner. The best way to secure honesty I'm
public office Is TO limit the temptations dishon-
esty Do away with the agencies and the unofficial
fees. and much will have been accomplished to-
ward a reform Of the consular service.
If good men could be appointed simply the
service, and not to particular place. great good
would be accomplished from the fact that the
proper authority could send this any post
where his training and experience would BE the
most effective. BY appointing men simply to the
service they could be located by the government
where their experience and ability would be Of real
service, not only TO trade. but to the customs
revenue. Under the present system. if man is
signed to a place where he is best equipped to ad-
minister the affairs OF his office. It is usually by
accident.
The foregoing statement contains my personal
our consular system which have come to my notice
during ten years OF experience in the service. The
Cefects pointed out can be remedied. That they
intimate knowledge Of the true conditions existing
will deny. II you remedy these defects even with
out establishing a reasonable. permanent tenure Of
office you will have accomplished much needed
work. If you remedy these defects and give 10
the mighty commercial forces In the United States
the aid OF experienced and we'll disciplined
corps Of consuls. protected by n reasonable, per-
manent tenure of office. you will have rendered a
service which will be lasting and benefcent in its
effect upon trade and other interests through
the world.