Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-30

Wilson. Most of them were from the
southern states. Some of them did not
appear at the examination; others did not
properly prepare themselves and did not
fulfill the requirements of the rules. Many
came here totally unprepared and unin'
formed as to the subjects of examination
This suggests that the young men in those
sections of the country do not under
stand or comprehend what advantages the
consular service offers and do not COM
prehend what Is required of a candidate
for a consulate.
Letters were addressed to sixty differ
ent educational institutions in the south
asking that the attention of the students,
and particularly of the recent graduates,
be drawn to this opportunity to enter a
consular career. Letters were addressed
by the Secretary of State to the senators
from the southern states calling their at
tention to vacancies in the consular serv-
ice and to the desirability of securing
highly qualified young men from that sec
ton of the country, but there was very
little response. The men who came in
answer to those invitations did not seem
to appreciate what was expected of them.
Some were splendid men, but they lacked
the elementary knowledge required to
pass the examinations.
lndSnuCn dS no COISuldI appointments
can be made without the advice and con-
sent of the Senate, naturally it would be
futile to examine candidates whose ap-
pointments would be opposed by their
senator's, and it is, therefore, quite advisa-
BILE that candidates have the Endorsement
of their senators.
Time for Preparation.
The intention is to allow from four to
six months time between designation for
examination and the examination itself.
This will allow time Tor proper prepara-
ton; but the applications from the under
represented states have been SO slow in
coming in that when the designations
have been made most of the candidates
have had far too short time for prepara-
ton. This Is a situation which the de-
partment would be glad to remedy but it
rests entirely with the applicants.
THE next examinations will take place
April I, s. and 8, 1908. Thereafter exam.
nations will be held beginning the first
Tuesday in July. the first Tuesday in No
vember, and the first Tuesday in March
always lasting three days, and always
held in Washington. Those who wish to
enter the service have now plenty of time
to prepare themselves. and 1t is only nee
essary for them to write to the Secretary
of State or to their senators to obtain in
formation as to the lines which the exam
nations will follow.
THE last written examination" contin-
ued Mr.. Wilson, took place on November
the Pension office. The oral examinations
were held On the Office of the third assist
ant secretary of state.
The board of examiners consists of
Huntington Wilson. third assistant secre-
tary of state, the chairman of the boar I'd q.
Wilbur J. Carr, the chief clerk of the de-
partment, and Frank NJ. Higgins, chief
examiner OF the civil service commission
Subjects Of Examination.
THE written examination includes the
following subjects: Modern languages,
natural. industrial and commercial re-
sources and commerce of the United
States, political economy; international,
commercial and maritime law: American
history. government and institutions; po-
litical and commercial geography, arith-
metic and modern history (since 1850 of
Europe, South America and the far east
The oral examination is given to deter
NINE the candidates ability, alertness
general contemporary information and
natural fitness for the service, including
moral. mental and physical qualification
character, address and general education
and good command of English. Three can
didates are usually examined at the same
liiilS. luS WiillcIl cAdTIllndtlOn Is given TO
all the candidates at the same time
/ asked Mr.. Wilson in what respect the
candidates seem to be most defective
They are least prepared on political
economy. international, commercial and
maritime law and modern languages"
was his reply. Most of those who fail
do so because of their ignorance of those
subjects
Does every man who passes the ex-
aminatlons obtain an appointment" I
asked.
Chance for Appointment. -
II cannot give any such assurance"
replied Mr.. Wilson. because the ap-
pointments depend entirely upon the mum.
Der of vacancies that occur from time to
time. For example, nine successful can
didates at the recent examinations are
now on the eligible list. and will be ap-
pointed to positions as vacancies occur
No man will be appointed unless his name
Is on that list. The day of political ap-
pointments is over. No one can obtain a
consulate except by going through this
examination and by following the same
course that these young men have fol-
lowed. 4 candidate who has passed his
examination remains eligible for appoint
ment for two years. At the end of that
time II he shall not have been appointed
his name is stricken from the list. and.
in order to again become eligible he must
pass another examination"
How many consulates are there, and
how often do vacancies occur?"
There are 312 consulates and consulates
general. Since the Inauguration of the
present system. a little over a year ago.
thirty-two young men have passed. the
examination. of whom twenty-one have
received appointments and are now In
the service. The system has thus been
successful In keeping up consular per-
sonnet without the appointment of a sin
gle man who has not been found qualified
by examination to serve the interests of
American commerce and appear as a
creditable representative of his govern
ment and Of his nation