The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1907-03-11
ALIEN CQNSULS
WILL Be OUSTEO
POLICY OF UNITED STATES IS
RADICALLY CHANGED IN ITS
FOREIGN SERVICE.
PROMOTIONS ON MERIT
Foreigners Are TO Be Employed
Anywhere--Commerce De.
mands Reorganization.

Washington. March 10.-The Am +
icanizaton Of the consular service has
already been begun and viii be ca"
ried out in a thorough manner. Incl
dentally there will be a complete up
!; set Of the present system and foreign
/ ers will no longer be employed az
, clerks or agents. AT present one.halt
!, of all he minor places in connection
with American consulates abroad are
i filled by foreigners-the absurdity of
which is sufficiently obvious as these
men care little for promoting the
trade OF the United States AS for
Interpreters i24 oriental countries,
j those employed are all natives, but
Especially trained Americans are to be
1 substituted as. soon as possible
The reason for employing foreign.
Iers as consular clerks and consular
agents hitherto has been that Ameri.
cans could not be. found. who woald
accept the~pla'ces for the niggardly
Ipay allowed. Thus it,comes about that
! atthe present time the government IS
| represented all. over the world, and
Iespecially at seapo;ts in the orient,
| by.aliens, who take the jobs because
a certain amount Of .prestige attaches
ITO them; When a port is not import
ant enough TO be provided with a fuils
I.fedged consul vice consul or consn-
lar agent is appointed Who often per
form the duties incidentally to the
running of a store Of some sort. The
consular service has baen rendered in
this way ridiculous.
Look After American Trade
For It should be remembered that
the consuls of the United States are
the business representatives of this
co ntry abroad and the most imports
ing of trade interests.
The reorganization of The CONSULAR
service is already going on under an
ord recently issued by President
Roosevelt. Under this order no ap
plicant Is admitted without passing
rigid examination, which requires
pretty thorough course OF .prelimin-
lry study A good acquaintance with
at least one fcreign language counts
high bu. not less important Is some
d gee of familiarity with trade con
ditions in various countries.
Having passed the examination, the
candidate can not become a full CON
sui right away but is eligible only to
appointment as consular clerk or con
suiar agent-the. two lowest grad s.
The places in question are purpose
| IL made desirable for young men, the
pay to start with being in no case less
than 81 coo per year As an addition
al incentive the prospect OF reason
ably rapid promotion offers itself-the
man who proves himself capable pass
ing from a consular clerkship 10 4
consular agency, thence to a vice con
| ulship aud finally to a fun consul
ship. He may even look forward 10
becoming eventually consul gen raj
II mis- merit warrants.
Adequate Salaries Now Paid.
| This is the keynote-merit. Hith-
e-lo politics have governed the con
sular service almost exclusively and
congressman have customarily obtain.
ei the places for persons Of their oTh
choice. Indeed. this is one reason
why the business of the United Stat s
has been SO poorly attended t.
abroard ....."
According to the plan contemplated
full consuls are in no case 10 receive
less in future than $4,000 pr annun
and from that salary they will bt
AIDED mp. according to the impor.
ance Of their pos S to consul general
ships at $1,000 or $4,000. When thi
IA been brought about American
business representativ abroad vii
. no longer be obi ged TO live in pOye.
- as has happened in many an in
stance under the old plan.
In fac. it has frequently occurre
hat our consuls have b-en compelle
. live under literally poverty ystIic.'
b ri circurs ances. being reed to de
!, pend for their income largely upoi
q prscarious fees. This. again. is TO b
r don away with. There are 10 be n
y more fee. OF more accurately s1eaH
? ing. all moneys thus received will b
rned Owe % the government On
i : sadgantage Of In fee svs on Is ths
D. il has made the remuneration OF
r. few officers in the service absurd
p large. the c-nsuls general a Londo.
2 Liverpool and Paris receiving fro1
.e $4,000 % $4,000 year. p cunia-i.
speaking. these Jobs the fat'est in th
j Gift al the president have heen MOI
b DE- irsEIe than ambassl ldOrship
d which pay only s17.50o.
'r Must Have Shabby Quarters.
= Th r. there g the matter Of perm
r rent homes for the cOnsuia es abroa
l- Ws ought Of course. 20 own sen