The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-10-25
PROPOSITION TO DO
AWAY WITH CONSULS
Stated Ambassadors Have to
Recognize Them Socially
In Europe.
AMBASSADORS OBJECT.
OWING TO PECULIAR CODE OF
SOCIAL RULES coNSULS HAVE
NO SOCIAL STANDlNG-QUES-
TON DEALT WITH.
BY Mrs. John A. Logan.

Washington, Oct. 24.-It is reported
that there is proposition to do away
with the consuls general in the Ameri-
can foreign service to relieve the en-
barrassment of our ambassadors, due
TO obligation of recognizing consuls
general socially. These officials are
''trade representatives and are there
fore outside the social pale" accord
ing to European ideas. Consuls gen.
eral have no standing in the courts
of Europe Why this should affect
the social standing of consuls general
at the American embassies is astonish-
ing to a majority of citizens of our
republic. .#.....
If we mistake not there are at pres
ent an American ambassador and con-
sui general representing us in the same
I country who at one time belonged to
the newspaper fraternity. Each began
!. life at the bottom rung of the ladder
to fame, which they have been climb
!. ing by the usual means of taking adj
vantage of their opportunities. To be
sure, one has been more fortunate than
the other, because of his good luck in
making an alliance that has given him
a large share in a fortune that was
\ accumulated by strict attention to
trade. Both are bright men whose wits
have been sharpened by their expe-
4 rience while plying their trades in the
I newspaper field. Why should this am
y bassador accord willingly and gladly
B social recognition to this consul gen.
eral?
a The standards for social recognition
Il fixed by the courts of Europe should
not concern us. Heaven knows they
admit many into the royal circles who
would not be received in the social
circles Of some of our frontier towns,
to say nothing Of the impossibility of
their being received in larger cities
by educated and refined society. Scions
of royal blood are often so profligate
in their habits that they should be ex
cluded from all society, even that of
the courts of Europe.
1t is to be hoped that the state de-
partment will not depart single inch
from the stand it has taken as to the
rank of consuls general in the circular
which names ambassadors, ministers
and consuls general as the proper Or
der of rank for American representa-
tives in the diplomatic and consular
service, especially as no protest has
!. been filed by any European country
against our government making such
Z regulations for our representatives as
comport with our republican form of
government. They do not expect in
reference from us with their diplomat
ic, consular or social customs, either
in Europe or in the United States, par
ticularly with the character of recog-
milton they give their own people,
while representatives in any branch
= of the service are accorded the most
cordial reception everywhere in the
United States.
United States Envied.
The people Of this country are the
envy of the whole world on account
of their commercial resources. The
consul general at any post has more
:. to do with the people of the country
to which he is accredited than any
ambassador can possibly have. Trade
is the basis of our prosperity and su-
premacy over all other nations lies
in the Importance Of our resources.
Our commodities are indispensable to
the nations of the earth and keep us
in the lead in national wealth. We can
understand that a consul general
might be unnecessary in Rome as that
Imperial city is Insignificant in the
: matter of commercial Importance
London, Paris, Berlin and Vienna,
however, are significant marts of trade
Some of the most distinguished and
influential men of this country have
filled the position of consul general at
the highest posts in Europe and the
Orient, among them being at least
one former cabinet minister. If un-
couth and ineligible men have been ap-
pointed to positions abroad it is the
:. duty of, ambassadors to insist upon
the recall Of the objectionable appoin-