The Saint Paul globe., 1904-08-08
OFFICE
AS TRADE BOOSTER
Loomls Sounds Diplomats on
Modern Methods OF Reach-
ing WORLDS Markets

WASHINGTON, D. c., Aug. THE de-
partment of state has initiated measures
whereby it is hoped further to improve our
foreign trade by means OF cooperation
between the diplomatic and consular serv-
ices.
For some years our diplomatic officers
have shown increasing interest and zeal
in supplementing the work of the con-
su1ar service by reports on commercial
and industrial subjects and the depart
ment now hopes to make the diplomatic
corps systematic and efficient auxiliary
for the promotion of our, export trade.
The action of the department is tentative
as yet and takes the form Of an instruc-
ton from Acting Secretary Loomis to the
diplomatic officers calling for reports as to
the feasibility of the plan. The instruc-
ton says:
.1 have the honor to- request that you
will cause to be prepared at your earliest
convenience, for the information of this
department a memorandum upon the
capabilities of the diplomatic service for
the promotion of our trade interest In the
country or countries to which you are
accredited. The department is prompted
in making this inquiry by two considera-
tons. First, that our embassies and le-
cations as shown by their frequent ef-
forts to assist the spread of our trade in
telligence among our people, would seem
to need only definite plan of action and
proper instruments. to. become powerful
auxliaries in the great and constantly
growing work Of equipping our manufac-
turers and exporters for effective com
petition in the worlds commerce.
Second, the limitation upon the con-
sular service in it's lack of diplomatic
status, In obtaining official information at
cured by consular officer only through the
cooperation of our diplomatic agents, or
by courtesy of an official of the country in
which he is located. Moreover, consul
fsaI 0if 1frsxv
may be, and usually is, local officer,
whose jurisdiction and influence do not
extend beyond particular district.
1T will be apparent to you that If the
er place among the induStrially competing
nations in the worlds markets. nothing
should be left to such chances but that
the machinery for collecting information
as to business conditions in other coun-
tries should be made as efficient and as
safely automatic as the means will allow.
AS you are aware. the consular service
has made a general and very marked adj
vance in its utility in this direction in
recent years, so much so,s in fact, as to
have become the object of imitation and
emulate on the part of the more prOmi-
nent Industrial nations; and it is believed
that. if the diplomatic service could be
brought into closer and more active Coz
operation with it, the United States would
possess an instrument of trade expansion
which it would be difficult to rival
.In view of the fact that the extension
of commerce, in its many forms, with a
multitude of subsidiary interests. has adj
mittedly become one Of the chief aims Of
the world diplomacy, and the further fact
that some nations already have diplo-
matte representatives, known as CONNER
cial attaches, charged with the special
duty Of collecting industrial and trade in
formation, it is assumed that no serious
question of propriety could arise from the
assumption by an embassy or legation of
the functions which have been indicated,
The diplomatic officers are also in
structed to report upon the following
questions:
Is there such cooperation as that out
lined above between the diplomatic and
consular service of the country to which
you are accredited? If so, describe it as
fully as you can.
Has the government any commercial or
industrial attaches? If so define their
duties, diplomatic status, pay. ETC.
Would such attaches, in your Judgment,
be useful for the United States?