The Washington times., 1905-11-12
SECRETARIES MUST
Be WELL FITTED
Another Sweeping Order in
Consular Appointments.
NEW EXAMINING BOARD
President Determined to Give Young
Men of Intelligence Chance to
Become Diplomats.

President Roosevelts order relative
To the change in the method OF appoint
ing consuls has been followed by an
other executive command providing for
appointments To m vacancies in the
office Of secretary to embassies and
legations.
The purpose OF these two orders is,
in short, the extension OF the merit
system 10 all diplomatic and consular
offices below the grade Of ambassador
and minister The change means that
the appointment of t!2ese important Of
dcials is TO be placed beyond the pale
Of politics.
Following the Presidents order yes
terday, Secretary Root announced the
makeup of the board which is To pass
upon the qualifications of persons Sc
lected by the President to be appointed
as secretaries TO embassies or legations.
Complexion of Board.
This board is to be composed Of the
officials serving as Second Assistant
Secretary of State, the Solicitor for the
State Department. and the Chief Of
the Diplomatic Bureau The status Of
the board. therefore. viii not be affect
ed in any way by a change in one or
more Of these offices. As now constituted
the board is made up as follows: Alvey
a. Adee Second Assistant Secretary of
State; William /. Penfold. Solicitor
General for the State Department. and
Sydney y. Smith. chief of the Diplo-
matte Bureau.
The order Of the Secretary Of State
appointing this board and making rules
for the proposed tests of ability. pro-
vides that these examinations shall be
held at the State Department from
time TO time, reasonable notice Of the
dates 10 be given 10 candidates. The
subjects upon which the applicant will
be examined in are international law,
diplomatic usage, and modern languages
Questions viii be asked both verbally
and in writing.
One Foreign Language.
Under the rules set down. Familiarity
with AT least one foreign language Is
required. This language may be either
the one in which the legation or en-
bassy is situated or French.
it shall be the duty OF the board to
make q thorough examination OF tbs
Qualifca tons IS shown by the oral and
written answers of the candidate, and
report TO the Secretary as to the rela-
tive merits of the various applicants foi
The position they desire.
rhis order and that Of day before yes
terday VIII bring about a sweeping
revolution in the appointments to IA,
diplomatic service. Heretofore Il hai
been The man with the best pull VIII,
got the plum, but in the future the posi-
tons viii so TO the men most fitted {,
occupy them
One effect Of the change IN mode o.
appointment will be a great increase il
the number Of young men who prepaI,
themselves especially for positions IL
The diplomatic service Of the United
states. scores Of young men Of unusua
brilliancy have been compelled TO re
main at home because of lack OF politi
cal pull when they could have beer
doing great service for their couutr1
as a consul or secretary to an embass,
OF Legation.
The second order Of President Roose
Welt relative 10 appointments in tn
consular and diplomatic service wa
given out at the White House YESTERDAY
afternoon. and IS as follows;
1T is hereby ordered that vacancie4
In the Office OF secretary Of embassy. o
legation shah hereafter be filled
"Ca) BY transfer or promotion from
some branch Of the foreign service. or
CD By the appointment of a persol
who, having furnished satisfactory evi
dence OF character responsibility an
capacity. and being thereuDOn selecta,
by the President for examinatiou. i
found upon such examination TO D.
qualified for the position.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT
The White House. Nov 10 1905