Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-06-14
DIPLOMACY EXCHANGE.
Clearing House Principle to Be
 Tried In London.
PLAN FOR IMPROVING THE SERVICE

PLAN FOR IMPROVING THE SERVICE 1 Bits of Information Gathered by American Representatives at Euro- pean Capitals to Be Assembled and Classified at British Capital-secre- tary Roots Scheme to Save Time and Cable Tolls.
 "Shirt sleeves diplomacy is about to spring another open and above board combination on the diplomatic chess board; an example of the application of business principles to calling which in bygone years was character ized by dark lantern methods, duplici- ty and intrigue, says the New York Posts Washington correspondent. It is nothing less than an American diplo- matic clearing house in London, under the supervision of the American am bassador to Great Britain. There it is purposed to assemble the important bits of information gathered by all the diplomatic and consular officials main- tained in Europe by the United States. This knowledge will be classified and filed away, to be kept secret, unless and until some specified disposition of it is authorized by the secretary of state. It will be duplication of so much of the departments records as relates to Europe. and the purpose of having it assembled at the most i'm portant American diplomatic post abroad is to facilitate diplomatic action and save the expense of cable tolls on diffusing information sent to Washing ton from European courts and which the department wishes to place in the hands of it's representatives at the other great capitals abroad.
 This important departure in state de- pertinent usage is to be made effective by a paragraph in the diplomatic and consular appropriation bill. which is now before the senate. for action, as follows:
 Clerks at the Embassy at London.-For two clerks at the embassy to Great Brit ain, one at the rate of sl,s00 per annum and one at the rate of sl.soo per annum.
 Adoption of such plan will have the effect of making Ambassador Reid sort of vice secretary of state. Even now his post is the most important of all the positions in the service. Other ambassadors hold the same rank. but with MT. Reid the supervising head of an official bureau which will assimilate and dispense to all other ambassadors secret information which they will in- diyidually furnish to him his position will assume an added measure of re- sponsibility.
 Advocacy of clearing house plan is but development of Mir. Roots pains taking and gradual mastery of every detail of state department work. Many officials who enter the government service are satisfied to fall directly into line with the usage of the department and follow as closely as may be in the footsteps of their predecessors. Upon such basis is red tape founded-the desire to do what has always been done and to do nothing else for fear of setting precedent Mir Root is not afflicted with any such fear. If he sees something which may be improv- ed or simplified he doesn't hesitate to authorize the change. His cold. busi- nesslike manner is rather liked by leg isla.ors at the capitol. who are sick and tired of the importunities of subordin- ate officials. They do not withhold ad. miration from man who knows what he wants and goes after 1t as if he in- tended to get 1t, so the veterans have a large measure of confidence in Mir. Roots recommendations, and it is al- together likely they will think as he does about the clearing house plan and keep it in the bill.
 An important provision which is not likely to stay in. however. is the one requiring that all necessary clerks at American embassies and legations shall be citizens of the United States. In its essence the provision is highly desirable and not subject to adverse comment. Men who have held high po- sitions in the American diplomatic service agree that it is not to this coun- try's interests to have foreigners shar- ing its diplomatic secrets, few as they are. and having access to the archives of our missions abroad. But the de- pertinent oficials know that such a rigid exclusion policy cannot be made effective within three weeks or, in other words. at the beginning of the next fiscal year, July l. when all ap- propriation bills become effective. Granting that such policy should be adopted, 1t Is imperative that it's appli- cation for time at least shall be left to the secretary of states discretion.
 Doubtless there are many instances to support this view. but only one is needed to illustrate the situation. There is attached to the American legation in Switzerland a native of that country who has spent practically his entire adult life as a clerk m q confidential capacity. Diplomats who have held the post at Bern have testified to the un- changing fidelity. ability and interest of this Swiss member of the legation staf. He has never. however. become q citizen of the United States. and if