The San Francisco call., 1906-12-28
Barrett Sees Poor Men
at Diplomatic Posts
Praises
Reorganization
of Service

VI 0S1 1SN
Reconciliation of Colombia and the
republic of Panama, Colombia's recog-
milton Of the latter as a nation, the as
sumption of a portion of the Colombian
debt by Panama and an American dip
lomatic service, open to poor men, are
among the representations made yes
terday by John Barrett. United States
Minister to Colombia, who is in San
Francisco on his way to Washington to
assume the post of director of the Bu-
reau of American Republics.
Barrett will be the guest today of
the trustees of the San Francisco Cham
ber of Commerce at an informal lunch
con, and expects to tell them of the i'm
mense commercial Importance of Latin
America to San Francisco and the Pa
cific Coast. AFTER a visit to Los An
geles he will proceed directly to Wash
ington to take up the dual task of rep
resenting twenty-one American repub-
lies as chief commercial agent, publi-
cist and diplomatist.
For a year Barrett has been engaged
in the preliminary work incident to the
preparations of new treaties between
the United States and Colombia and Sc
curing the recognition of Panama by
Colombia. While he admits that the
feeling entertained for the United
States and their people by the Co
lombians is extremely bitter, he be-
lieves the commercial necessities and
development of the Latin republic will
hasten the consummation of new
treaties, which will involve the recog-
milton of Panama and which will result
in admirable trade relations between
the United States and rich, but unde-
veloped Colombia.
TRADE IS IMPORTANT
In this connection Barrett decries
what he declares to be the short
sightedness of the people Of the
United States in the matter of devel-
oping our trade with the Latin re-
publics. He said last night:
"All of South America is on the
verge of a great industrial develop
ment. Europe has for a long time
been fully aware of this and has
been getting ready to take the ear
liest advantage of the knowledge.
The people of the United States do
not realize the Importance to them
and especially to the people of the
Pacific Coast of the west coast of
South America
Our people have devoted their time
to developing the Asiatic and European
markets, to the exclusion of the vast
IIdTkclS dlDOSl aI our QOOTS- IACIc
is scarcely a product of the Pacific
Coast States that cannot find ready
and advantageous market in Latin
America. It is true that California has
paid some attention to this trade and
that her lines of steamers are great
benefit, but the people of this coast
have no conception of the possibilities
for them in Colombia, Chile. Bolivia
and Ecuador.
'The Reorganization Of the consular
service, fostered and advocated by Sec
retary of State Root, and made possi-
BILE by the enactment of the Lodge bill
and the new work of the Bureau of
American Republics, will be great
help to the trade of the United States
and materially enhance our commercial
Importance throughout the world For
instance no new man will be sent to
Latin America who~has not a working
knowledge of the Spanish language.
Before Secretary Root, who is one
of the greatest Secretaries of State we
have ever had, took up this work, it
was entirely possible for men with no
especial fitness to get into the service.
Now their fitness is determined before
their appointment and within the year
the State Department will have an ac-
service and a record Of their accomp-
lishments as comprehensive as the
grades given in an institution of learn
ing
The wiping out of the fee system
and entire readjustment of compensa-
tion, carrying with 1t living salaries
for all the posts. can have but the one
result-the enhancement of the eff
cheney OF the service. Then under the
Lodge law promotion is required. New
men must go in at the bottom or near
the bottom of the service and the
higher places be filled from the ranks
of the tried and proved men.
PROPHESIES PROMOTIONS
mo, / do not believe the develop
ment of the system will result in pro-
motions from the consular to the diplo
matte service. They are entirely dis
tinct in character and must remain so,
but do believe the diplomatic service
will be greatly benefited through the
efforts of Secretary Root, and that
through his efforts it will be possible
for the country to secure the services
Of capable men, who, under existing
conditions, cannot AFFORD to accept the
more important diplomatic posts. en-
failing as they do the expenditure of
sums greatly in excess of the compen-
sation.
Tn fact. I think that both the Presi-
dent and Secretary Root are sick OF the
SplurSe mdQ0 IN tne service ana tnat
ten years will see this country owning
all OF its legations and most OF the i'm
portant consulates and making provi-
sion for their support that will make
great wealth no longer a prerequisite
to diplomatio appointment. Then we
will see promotions in that service, too.
Indeed, already half-dozen or more
secretaries Of legation have been made
Ministers or ambassadors, notably,
Rome, Rockhill in China, Morgan in
Cuba Squfres in Panama, Beaupre in
Argentine and Lee in Ecuador"
Barrett, who entered the service at
28 years of age, is now a diplomat of
SO years with a continuous service of
thirteen years. He has been Minister
to Siam, Argentina, Panama and CO.
lombia, represented his country as a
delegate in the Pan-American congress
and is now chosen by the Secretary of