New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-05-21
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
REFORM IN THE CONSULAR SERVICE.
Newly Appointed Inspectors Discussed
Move in Right Direction, Says Writer.


To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir The first fruits Of Senator Lodges consular
reform bill are in the appointment by the
President Of Ave inspectors OF consuates with the
title Of consul general
1t appears that these appointees are TO be paid
$4,000 per annun, with allowance for travelling
expenses ard subsistence and are to visit such
consulates as may be assigned to them respec-
lively, and all are TO be inspected at least every
two years.
The extent and the utility OF these inspections
VIII depend upon the personality and integrity Of
the inspectors. To be useful they must have had
experience in the consular service and with con-
sUlar duties in the several countries visited they
must be able to confer with local merchants and
CHlclals In either the French German language
IN the non-English- speaking countries and in or
oer 10 avoid the pitfalls temptations peculiar
70 the fascination OF foreign travel and personal
sraIt arising from the acceptance of presents from
the ofhcials inspected, they must make absolute
loyalty TO the United States government part Of
their religion. Orientals say that the acceptance
OF present breaks the hand so that it cannot
strike, and in their country the acceptance Of
present by any having judicial functions Gre
ates presumption Of corrupt collusion in favor
Of the donor
1t is to be hoped that among the instructions
given by the Department of State TO appointees
will be found one strongly discouraging the sys-
TEN Of bacEsheesh which prevails so largely in nom
Christian countries ard TO extent in Christen
dom
The writer once inquired of the governor general
OF an adjoining province whether the newly APP
pointed governor general Of Damascus lib
eral man, in contrast with his narrow minded and
fanatical predecessor. who had recently been exc
cuted for completely in the general massacre Of
Christians. and receiver this answer "Oh, no.
Mustapha Pacha is not fanatic; he CANDLES. gets
drunk and takes brides just like any Christian
The appointees to have been chosen with
view to obtaining the best results. because OF
their experience in the consular service. II. L
Washington, for example. for many years a
consular ofhcial in Egypt and Syria where. under
the principle OF Intentionally which obtains in
ron-C Christian countries he had diplomatic and
judicial functions and jurisdiction as a consular
I judge in civil and criminal cases, in admiralty.
marriage and divorce. in addition to the regular
at Valencia in spain at Geneva in Switzerland
and at Cape Town in Africa This wide experience,
before he was sent abroad should qualify him for
Ms he% Gutes as inspector The same Is true Of
years consul general at ConstantinOple.
perience as consular clerk in various localities
WHICH should sake him an excellent judge of the
MS jurisdiction The same is presumably true Of
M CesRr cnDo bSy Tans mes gc SsTe
of consulates generally during his short service at
and Russian troops but It is far to assume frem
| the other appointments that he also has been
MeSSrs - Westminster 9ickinsSn and Cheshire
and report on all consulates in Turkey, Persia,
Egypt, Africa, China and Japan, while Messrs.
edge of consular duties IN Europe. should make
satisfactory and intelligent inspection the Con-
tinent and In the English speaking countries The
seeming inconsistency of appointing a consular
clerk to such high position IS explained by the
fact that consular clerks the only consular OFF,
cias having life tenure They retain that status
even when temporarily occupying the post Of vice
or deputy consul general, while performing any
any other duties assigned to them. in the case
! of Mr.. Murphy, who has been consular clerk for
more than ten years
Although the original consular bill was greatly
changed before its final enactment by Congress and
many OF It's useful features stricken out IL is
a matter of rejoicing that some progress has been
made toward placing consular system upon a
more respectable footing, and that some encourage
ment has been extended to educated and available
young to regard the consular service as a
! career instead Of episode in reward for vote
getting in support Of more or less local political
! leaders. l. AUGUSTUS JOHNSON.
New York May II. 1906