The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1903-11-24
INSPECTING
C0NSULATES
Assistant Secretary of State Pierce
Completes His Tour.
HE PRAISES THE SERVICE
Thinks 1t Is Mistake, However, to
Appoint NaturaIized Persons to
ConsuIships in Their Native Coun-
tries-Duties of the ConsuIs With
Regard to immigration.

Washington, D. c., Nov. 23.-Hav-
ing returned to the United States
from tour of inspection of the con-
sulates of the United States in Eng
land, Holland Belgium, France and
Germany, Third Assistant Sc :retary
of State Pierce has submitted to the
secretary report on the general sit
uation as he found it.
In no case, he says, was the consul
forewarned of his arrival. He says
that on the whole, our consulates in
Europe are in excellent condition and
that the service compares favorably
with that of any other country, but
that many Of our consuls are made
quately compensated.
He says there is no little strife
among neighboring consuls for the in
clusion of territory into their respec-
tive districts. in order to secure no.
tarial fees, the result being that in
place of more harmony, esprit de
corps and the national exchange of
views between consuls, which should
exist, he found the consuls not only
out of harmony, but hardly having re-
lations with one another. This, he
says, acts prejudicially to interests
of persons for whose benefit the con-
suls are given notarial authority. He
recommends the abolition of compen-
sation to the consul by fees OF what
ever sort or nature: that all fees be
covered into the treasury and more
adequate salaries be paid consuls.
Mr.. Pierce regards as unfortunate
the appointment of naturalized Am
erican citizens to the country OF their
origin in a consular capacity. not
alone from the point of view OF the
government to whom they are &C
credited, which seldom regards such
appointments with satisfaction, but
from the point of view of efficiency.
The employment of foreign clerks to
consuls he regards as unwise, as 1t
is highly probable that such a clerk
owing allegiance to another govern
ment. would find the temptation to
reveal matters which might be or the
highest importance, a strong one II
Inducements were offered him.
The report deals with the "llb-
iect of immigration and the dutrs OF
consuls in connection Herewith, say
ing they are excessively arduous,, in
yolving irregular hours and exposure
not only to the weather. but to con
tagious and infectious diseases. by
the terms of the recent law, MI
Pierce says the immigrant passenger
manifest is no longer signed by the
consul or by anybody at the port OF
arrival. The actual labors, however
of the consul in competition with the
bill Of health and the inspection OF
Immigrants remains the same.
Consequently, he says, after dellv
ering to the captain Of a vessel
clean bill of health, it is entirely pos
sible for rejected immigrants or 9th
ers who have not been examined, te
be taken aboard after the consul has
left. thus vitiating the entire bill O
health He saws that when the cos
of bringing emierants to the United
States is considered, steamship com
panies can well afford to take the
risk Of rejection Of immigrants by
the authorities on arrival in thl:
country.