Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-20

transfer all foreign-born consuls who hap
pen to be serving in their native countries
to other clfmes. This is likely to provoke
considerable opposition. In Germany and
the Scandinavian countries are several men
of political influence who have secured ap-
pointments in their native countries to
crafty their pride by exercising the au-
thorty of their adopted nation in the pres
ence of their former neighbors. This often
Is exceedingly offensive to the government
to which they are accredited and to the
people of the cities in which they live In
some cases the German government has
refused to receive its former subjects as
consuls of the United States, and every
European power is exceedingly reluctant to
do SO for obvious reasons Every Presi-
dent and every Secretary of State and al
most every senator has usually admitted
that the practice of appointing naturalized
citizens to consulates in their native coun-
tries is, at least inexpedient, but, never
theless, such appointments are made every
year. President Roosevelt has been one
of the most positive of the directors. but
ne does not always practice what he
breaches. Like every other President he
yields to peiiticaf influence. Secretary Root
claims to be strong enough to resist any
possible pressure in this particular, and it
will be interesting to see how well he sus-
ta1ns himself. He proposes to transfer all
the Swedish-born consuls from Sweden,
Norwegian-born consuls from Norway,
German-born consuls from Germany, and
give them positions elsewhere; but when
fight on his hands
Ability to Speak Foreign Languages.
He also proposes to transfer from South
and Central America and from Mexico and
Spain every consul who cannot speak the
Spanish language. Hewill give them chance
to learn it, but it is safe to assume that a
man who has been in a Spanish-speaking
country two years or more and is not able
70 speak the language Will never learn to
do SO. The same rule will be applied to
consuls now residing in Germany, France,
italy and other European countries These
transfers will not be made in day, nor
In year, but that principle is to be recop-
nlzed as rapidly possible, and Secretary
Root modestly believes that he has suffi-
cient strength of will to resist the demands
or congressman and other politicians
There has been form of examination for
candidates for the consular service for sew
eraI years. but 1t has been very elastic l
never heard that any candidate with infiu-
entail hackers ever failed to pass and there
have been some ludicrous incidents A for
mer member Of Congress- millionaire and
politician of great infuence-had a fancy
to enter the consular service for social rea-
sons and secured an appointment In one of
the European countries When he applied
for his commission he was told that he
would have to undergo an examination. He
replied that he would see the President the
Secretary of State and all the rest of the
administration in paradise before he would
make an exhibition of himself as a school
boy. and he even went SO far as to threaten
the removal of the third assistant secretary
of state If that gentleman, who has charge
or the consular corps, tried any tricks on
him. But when the matter was carefully
explained to him and the necessity of hav-
ing some such safeguard was made clear
he consented to undergo the ordeal He
was little short on spelling and his know
ledge of geography was amazingly limited
but he added column of figures correctly
hxnq m n axo Yrnip IT,.
clean bill of health. This farce has been
acted many time. but Secretary Root has
taken fresh grip on the system and swears.
by all the gods that examinations will he
genuine hereafter.
The government of Mexico has recently
founded a school for the education of con-
suls, secretaries and attaches of legations
and other employees OF it's foreign service
and 1t Is proposed in the future to appoint
none but graduates of that institution. 1t
is not possible to enforce such a rule at
present because the school was only re-
Gently established, but 1t II move in the
right direction. and 1t would be well il Con-
gress should make some such requirements
It Is not necessary to have government
school. because there are institutions. like
the George Washington University. which
always have courses in diplomacy. which
would answer every purpose.
Employees Of Foreign Birth.
The new law says that none but .Ameri-
cans shall be placed on guard, provided
their salaries are s1.0O0 or more, but the
Secretary Of State does not intend to be
80 unjust as to remove faithful and efficient
clerks because they happen to be of foreign
birth. The rule will be applied with dis
erection to persons now in the service, and
Will be enforced in all future appointments
More than one-half the clerical employees Of
consular Offices will be affected. The re-
mainder do not receive $1,000 salary, SO
that they will be exempt 1t should be a
rule to pay all clerks in consulates at least
$1,000 year No man can live decently
In any country on less than that, and
great, rich government like ours ought not
to ask It's servants to accept less. There
will be considerable increase in the al
lowances for clerk hire. but large number
OF the employees will stftl be underpaid.
In certain countries. 1t is necessary to en- /
ploy natives because the consuls cannot
speak or learn the language. This e par
ticuiariy true In China, but the United
States government now has school at
Pekink with twelve students who are earn
ine the language at government expense,
with the understanding that they VIII ac-