Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-19

cations to reappoint him; but at the same
time, he may expect reappointment pro-
vided his record Is good and the senators
and representatives from his state are
agreeable. AS a rule, to which there Will
be few exceptions. all officials will be per-
mitted to serve out their terms.
Changes in Diplomatic Service.
Several changes In the diplomatic service
are expected. Mr.. Choate. who has been
ambassador to London longer than any of
his predecessors, will retire from choice;
much to the regret of the President and
Secretary of State, and much to the relief
of Mr. Whitelaw Reid, who for a long time
has desired to serve his country in that
capacity. Whether Mr. Reid will be graft
fed or not remains to be seen, but he has
powerful influences at work N his behalf
and his appointment is not improbable, In
case the President fails to persuade Mr..
Choate to remain.
There is likely to be a vacancy in the
embassy at st, petersburg by the re1lrement
of Mr. Mccormick, who has had all of
the glory and experience he desires. Mr..
Meyer, our ambassador to Rome, Is wiling
to resign and accept portfono IN the
cabinet but If the latter is not oHered he
will probably remain at his present post
His original appointment was Intended to
be temporary, and to continue until Myron
T. Herrick of Cleveland. now governor or
Ohio was ready to go to Rome. Mr.. Her
rick had no desire to become an ambassador
and Mr. Meyer has declined to give way to
anybody else, although the place was Of
fered to and accepted by Mr. Henry White.
who for many years, has been secretary
of the legation at London. If there Is
vacancy he will be promoted.
Powell Clayton, who has been eight
years in Mexico, wants to come home 1t
is understood that his resignation has
been received, or is expected at any time
He has made a most satisfying ambassa-
dor and his retirement will be regretted
both at Washington and at the Mexican
capital.
The Consular Service.
Notwithstanding the political inf1u
ences that control it and the defects in
the organization. we have an excellent
consular corps; more competent than for
many years previous. The consuls gen.
eral of the United States at London,
Paris, Berlin, St Petersburg. Rome. Mar
seille. Liverpool. Manchester and other
Important places are perfectly satisfac-
tory and would be difficult to improve
mon and places of minor Importance
are much better filed at present than is
usually the case. Therefore few changes
are expected.
The advocates of consular reform should
not. however, cease their efforts to secure
legislation for permanent corps OF
trained men. They cannot expect Con-
gress to adopt all of their recommended
lions or pass such a radical bill as they
have proposed. but there are good grounds
for confidence that some changes for the
better may be made gradually, provided
the pressure is continued. Inc weakest
spots in the service are found in the far
east and Assistant Secretary PIERCE, who
made a personal investigation last sum-
mer has recommended several essential
changes in the organization. He urgently
recommends that the consuls be relieved
of judicial responsibility and that men
who have legal experience and are learned
in the law be appointed 10 perform those
functions
ordinary consuls who may never have
opened law book, but are expected to
adjudicate- Litigation involving large in
terests.
Inspectors of Immigrants.
1t is also proposed to establish inspect