The Washington herald., 1908-04-20

the State Department has been formally
created AMI put in operation by a de-
partmental order issued by Secretary or
State Root
/ Huntington Wilson, Third Assistant Sec
retaTy Of State as an official Of the
American Legation in Tokyo for nine
years. has been designated as general
superintendent OF the division William
Phillips. former second secretary OF the
Pekin Legation. has been made chief OF
the division, and Percival Heintzleman,
formerly in the consular service in China,
has been made assistant chief Of division.
This division, which was decided upon
by Mr. Root last summer, upon Mr.. VIII
/ sons suggestion, is for the administra-
tion Of American political and CONNER
eial affairs In the far East. and is re-
garded as the advance step OF T. general
organization Of the foreign consular and
diplomatic service into three. or possibly
four, great politieo-ge0gTaphica divisions.
4 Working Organization.
The other divisions contemplated, and
which viii be formally created as soon
as the far Eastern division has been
established as q successful working or
gaEiZation. viii be. probably. a division
Of Southern Europe and Asia; probably
a division of Northern Europe and Brit
ish America, and a division OF Latin
America. According 10 the tentative
plan drawn up by Secretary Root, Rob
ert Bacon, Assistant Secretary Of State,
viii be given general supervision Of the
lLatin-American divisioni Alvey 4. Adee.
Second Assistant Secretary. viii be given
supervision Of the European and African
i fs4@e.
two divisions-with an assistant. proyid-
ing Congress viii authorize il, 70 have
direct charge OF one Of the divisions
under him
This step is regarded in official circles
as one of the most important yet intro
duced in foreign affairs. The effect OF
organizing the foreign service under geo
graphical divisions is expected. by Mr..
Root and officials Of the department. to
result in, perhaps. as much good In the
advance Of the methods Of handling tor
eigu affairs as was the reorganization
Of the consular system by Mr.. Root two
years ago. That system. which was
put into effect July l. 1896, at once dem
onstTated its great value in progressive
ness This is clearly shown by the re-
ports OF cOnsuls. consuls general. ana the
consular inspectors, as well as by letters
OF praise received from the big CONNER
ciaI organizations OF the country.
The plan for the formation OF geo
graphical division was urgently advo-
Gated by Mr. Wilson shortly after he
came to the State Department from
Tokyo, two years ago Mr. Wilson for
several years, had made a careful study
Of the commercial and political conditions
in the far East. particularly Japan and
China He also had closely watched the
methods OF the leading European countries
in their foreign work Most Of the prin-
cipal powers have had such q system in
| operation for years the idea being 70
place the work relating 10 groups OF
countries closely related politically and
geographically under the direction Of one
division Of the foreign Office, IN charge
OF officials with special knowledge OF
such groups OF countries. Both Dir. Phil
lips and Alr. Heintzleman were brought
to Washington from the far Eastern
service with this idea IN view AS ths
! other divisions are established. diplo-
mgtic and consular officials who have
served long and creditably II the differ
ent fields VIII be brought home % have
charge OF the work.
A Limited Addition.
Mr. Wilson, in advancing this method
Of organization. pOiRted out that il many
Of the most efficient foreign services
there has been adopted the practice OF a.
, limited addition 20 the departmental stan
OF members OF the diplomatic and con-
sulsr services, a practice which is
thought by many 10 increase the eff
cheney at both ends OF tho line. 10 make
the most economical use Of the experi-
ence and knowledge gained by the off,
cials; to prevent those abroad from los
ing touch with home conditions, and 70
keep the departmental staff closely in-
formed Of foreign conditions
Secretary Root had scarcely taken hold
Of the work Of the State Department
when he realized tbs great need OF sys-
tenatic organization. lie set 60 work On
ii, studying the immense problem pre-
sented night and day, becoming thor
oughly absorbed IN the task before him.
AL along he has been one Of the hardest
workers in the administration, and this
has meant that all under him have been
compelled to bear their share OF ths
work Wilbur J. Carr. chief clerk Of the
department, who was chief OF the Con-
sular Bureau when the reorganization
work was under way, was ar Roots
right-hand support
Every step taken in bringing the for
eign service up to date shows Mr.. Root
realizes that this is a day of specialists
and scientific organization In the govern
ment service, as well as in the profes-
7 sional and business world. Ar Root has
been compelled to depend upon Congress
, to help him in the reorganization scheme,
! and also in affoTding relief for the diplo-
matte and consular service.
To Foreign Post.
Mr. Wilson, before being brought 10
the State Department by AIr. Root as thA
successor to Herbert II. D. Peirce, served
nine years in the diplomatic field, being
stationed at Tokyo. Mr. Wilson is a
native of Illinois. and was nominated 10
the diplomatic service by Senator CuliOm.
lie was appointed second secretary at
Tokyo, May (. 1897 He was promoted 70
secretary OF legation in 1900 and was
; charge d'affaires at different times for
long periods until ne was promoted to
secretary of embassy, May @- 1886. He
was appointed TO his present office June
p, 1906.
Mr.. Phillips, chief Of the far Eastern
! division. was appointed from Massaehu-
setts as private secretary TO the AM
! bassador 10 Great Britain in 1903. and
was promoted to second secretary Of leS
gation al Pekm in 1875. Mr. Heintzle-
' man who was appointed from Pennsyl-
vsnia- went to China as a student inter-
prefer In 1902 He was made vice and
deputy consul general at Canton IN 1904.
tand served in the same Office at Dalny
; from october. 1906, 10 May. 1907. when he
resigned 10 help Mr. Wilson on far East<
eTn affairs.
Equity snits.