Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-02
THECONSULARSERV|CE
Interest in Coming Changes
Felt by Europeans.
SOME QUALIFICATIONS
HOW AN OFFICIAL CAN BENEFIT
HIS COUNTRY.
Scale of Remuneration is Now Miser-
ably Inadequate Because Condi-
tions in Europe Have Changed.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

Special Correspondence of The Evening Star
LONDON, March 3d. 1905.
American consuls have quite recently at
tanned a position of peculiar prominence
in European countries. AS much public in
terest Is now manifested in England,
France and Germany respecting the
changes now impending in the important
consulates as in the shifting of ambassa-
doris. This in itself constitutes an impor-
tant tribute to the aggressive commercial
policy of the United States, and indicates
the beginning Of new era in the status
of these official representatives abroad.
Following close upon the announcement
that new consul generals would be sent to
London, Liverpool, Berlin, Paris. Havre
and the news that the consulate at Brussels
is to be raised to important rank, comes
the statement attributed to President
Roosevelt that consular officers who have
been in Office eight years will not be re-
appointed unless they have made exception
ally good records.
The Intelligent people of Europe are more
familiar with the personality of President
Roosevelt than with that of any of his pre-
decessors. Few newspapers or public men
are Indifferent to him. They are either
openly antagonistic or extremely friendly
Friendliness is the dominant note In nearly
everything that is said or written how
ever, and a strong belief in his honesty
and sincerity in the direction of good gov
eminent is a marked feature of all COM
ment.
Eight Years a Good Test.
Eight years is ample time in which to
test the qualities of consul. During that
period the State Department has been in
constant and close touch with its repre-
sentatives; note has been made of the
manner in which they have fulfilled COM
missions, and through the number and
quality of their reports can be determined
their usefulness to commerce. No consulate
is SO handicapped in its relations to local
conditions that in eight years no oppOr-
tunity can be created for notable service to
the home government. Men who were ap-
pointed eight years ago and who have failed
to make good since that time may be
locked upon legitimately as dead wood"
and in the interests of American foreign
trade should be supplanted by appointees
whose qualifications and character promise
beneficial results.
The four most important consulates In
Europe are Paris, London. Liverpool and
Berlin in the order named. London yields
the largest revenue for the incumbent, but
Paris is universally considered. for various
reasons, to be the prize of the American
consular service. Liverpool yields larger
revenue to the consul than does Berlin.
though from many points of view American
representation In Berlin is now more i'm
portant to home industry than IN Liverpool,
owing to the fact that Germany presents a
greater field for possible expansion OF Amer
lean trade.
The transfer OF Consul General Frank H.
Mason to Paris is regarded with universal
appreciation. except that the people OF Ber-
lin regret his departure. The retirement Of
Consul General Gowdy from the service is