The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-07
Reforms In
the Diplomatic
Service
(copyrInht, 1904, by the Century Cos

oGIpLCE
Copyright. 1904, by the Century Coz
As the very first thing TO be done,
whether our diplomatic service remains
as ut present or be improved, j would
urge, as a condition precedent to any
thoroughly good service, that there be
IN each of the greater capitals OF the
world Mt which we have II representa-
tive. suitable embassy or legation build
ing or apartment, owned or leased for a
term of years by the American Govern
,nent. Every other great power. and
laany OF the smaller nations, have pro-
world at winch we have ~ representa-
ilpcs, aud some years ago President
Cleveland recommended to Congress a
similar policy. Under the present system
the head of an American embassy or MIS-
sion aproad Is at Il wretched tisadva!i-
tase In many capitals he finds 1t at
times Impossible to secure proper
furnished apartment and, in some, very
diiicut to md any suitable apartment
ut all, whether furnished or unturnisneu.
Even II he tinds proper rooms, they are
frequently in an unfit quarter of the
town. remote from the residences of 'lis
colleagues, from tho public offices, from
everybody and everything related to his
work. His term of office being generally
short. he is usually considered n rather
undesirable tenant, and is charged ac-
cordingly Besides this, the fitting ana
furnishing of such an apartment is u
very great burden, both as regards trou-
BILE and expense. have twice thus fitted
and furnished large apartment In Ber-
lin, and in each case this represented an
expenditure of more than the salary for
the first year. Within my own knowl-
edge. two American ministers abroad
have impoverished their families by ex-
penditures of this kind.
Evils of Existing System.
But this is not the worst. The most
serious result of the existing system
concerns our country.
have elsewhere shown how, In one
very important International question
ut st. Petersburg, our mistaken policy
in this respect once cost the United States
II sum which would have forever put
that embassy, and. indeed, many others
besides. on the very best footing Ii
an American ambassador Is to exercise
II really strong influence for the United
States as against other nations, he must
be properly provided for as regards his
residence and support. not provided for,
indeed, SO largely MS some representa-
tives OF other nations: for neither pro-
pose nor desire that the American re-
preventative shall initiate the pomp of
certain ambassadors OF the greater Eu
ropean powers. But he ought to be en-
abled to live respectfully, and to dis
charge his duties efficiently. There
should be in this respect what Thomas
Jefferson acknowledged IN the Declara-
ton of Independence as a duty, "a de-
cent regard for the opinions of mankind"
The present condition OF things Is fire.
quently huniliating. In the greater CAPT
tails of Europe the general public know
f1,aN I,,;tf II, .tri,, oil u,
and all other important embassies or
legations, except that of our country.
The American embassy or legation has
no settled home, is somtimes in one quar-
ter of the town. sometimes in another.
sometimes almost in an attic, sometimes
almost III a cellar generally Inadequate
In its accommodations. and frequently
unfortunate In its surroundings. Both
my official terms mt st. Petersburg show
ed me that one secret of the great sue
cess of British diplomancy. in all parts
of the world, Is that especial pains are
taken regarding this point, and. that con-
sequently. every British embassy is the
center of a widespread social influence
which counts for very much indeed in
her political Influence.
The United States, as perhaps the
wealthiest nation in existence-a nation
far-reaching In the exercise of its for
rign policy. with vast and increasing
commercial and other interests through
out the world-should In all substantial
matters, be equally well provided for.
Take our recent relations with Turkey.
We have insisted on the payment of an
Indemnity for the destruction Of Ameri-
ram property, and we have constantly n
vast number of Americans of the very
best sort, and especially our missionaries.
who have to be protected throughout the
n fbt.
pther great powers provides its repre-
kentatiev at Constantinople with resi-
fence honorable, suitable and within
proper Enclosure for its protection; but
Tho American Minister lives anywhere
Ind eyerywhere-in such premises, over
ihops and warehouses;. as can be Sc
tured--and hG Is liable, in case of trouble
between the two nation, to suffer per-
tonal violence and to have his house
hacked by a Turkish mob. No foreign
people, and least of all an Oriental peo-
pie. can highly respect a diplomatic rep
fesentatfve who. by his surroundings.
Jeems not to be respected by his own
people. Tho American Government can
lastly afford the expenditure needed to
provide proper houses or apartments for
is entire diplomatic corps, but 1t can
hardly afford not to provide these. Full
provision for them would not burden
my American citizen to the amount of
HE half OF Boston biscuit. Leaving
matters III their present condition is. in
the long run, far more costly. once
lad occasion 20 consider this matter In
The light ;of economy land found that the
sost of the whole diplomatic service of
lie United States during an entire year
was only equal to the expenditure In one
pf our recent wars during four hours:
20 that If any member of the diplomatic
tervice should delay declaration of war
merely for the space of n day. he would
aefray the cost OF the service for about
Xix years
Mr. Charles Francis Adams. by his
admirable diplomatic dealing with the
British Foreign Office at the crisis OF
our Civil War, prevented the coming
put of the later Confederate cruisers to
prey upon our commerce, and, in all