Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-19
in SHABBY BUILDINGS
Housing of Our Diplomats and
ConSuIS Abroad.
AMERICANS MADE ASHAMED
Showing Ranks With the Second
Rate Powers.
SECRETARY ROOTS EXERTI0NS
Endeavoring to Have Chinese In
demnity Fund Used for Erec-
ton of Suitable Structures.
SECRETARY ROOTS EXERTI0NS
BY WILLIAM E. CURTIS.

Written for The Star and the Chicago RECORD
Herald.
The patriotic American who goes TO tor-
eign countries is seldom ashamed OF the
diplomatic and consular representatives Oh
his country. but in nine cases out Oh 'ei'
he feels like criticising somebody lot tie
buildings in which they live and nave
their Offices Even William Jennings
BRYAN. with all his ardor for democratic
simplicity, came home from his trip
around the world converted to the doc
trine Ahat the government should provide
buildings for it's diplomatic and consular
representatives Of character suitable to
its dignity and importance among the
powers of the world.
1t Is not necessary to remind any one
that this is the richest country in the
world or that ever has existed: that the
tax upon the people of the United States
for the support of the federal government
is lighter than that borne by any other
great commonwealth; that our national
debt in comparison with our population
is the smallest. and that our national
revenues and expenses per capita are less
than those of almost any other great
nation. And yet we permit our repre-
sentatives in foreign countries. or rather
compel them. to live and maintain the
official requirements Of their offices In
manner that would be unbecOming a
fifth-rate nation. If our ministers and
consuls live in houses or occupy offices
consistent with the dignity of their posi-
ton they are compelled to pay the
greater part of the charges out of their
own pockets. None but rich man can
serve this country in diplomatic ca
pacity. The first question the President
asks about a candidate for an embassy
or a legation is the amount Of his In
come-not that he prefers to appoint rich
men. but because no others can anord to
accept the obligations.
Every other first-class power and many
of the second-class powers provide both
Office buildings and residences for their
diplomatic and consular representatives
States is the only government OF i'm
portance that does not do so. And Con-
gress continually refuses to appropriate
sufficient money to enable them to rent
suitable buildings. Everybody admits this
who knows anything about 1t: nobody de-
tends 1t: everybody will concede that 1t
Is a poor policy for a government to COM
pei its representatives in foreign coun-
tries to live In state unbefitting the
dignity of their office. But. nevertheless
session. simply because of Indifference on
the one hand and a desire to keep down
the total appropriations on the other.
Secretary Roots Efforts.
This winter Secretary Root is making
special effort to obtain the authority
of Congress to erect buildings for our
consudates in Japan. China and Korea. be-
cause it is impossible to rent buildings
suitable in those countries at any price,
even If liberal appropriations were made.
Therefore. most Of them are housed in
a manner that is humiliating to every
atff xz-l,r nrv1Ir hot
The expense of erecting the proposed
buildings will be paid for by China. All
that is necessary is for Congress to au-
thOrize the construction and give per-
mission to the Secretary of State to meet
the expenses out Of the balance of the
ernment to cover the damages suffered
and the expenses incurred during the
Boxer troubles in 1900.
The President has recommended that
the greater part Of that indemnity be
waived. and the Senate has passed a
bill for that purpose. 1t Is assumed that
the House will concur in this act of JUS
tice. Our government proposes to retain
only sl1 $50, 1921 50 out or a total of $24.-
4O.77S.S1 allotted to this government by
the International commission that settled
the claims. The amount we retain is suf-
ficient to cover all the losses sustained
by American residents in China. to meet
the expense of the military relief expedi-
ton and to provide pensions for the
sailors. soldiers and marines who were
wounded or lost their health in that en-
petition: and also to provide a reserve
fund of $1.313.6 CAB for the acquisition of
land and the erection of suitable build
ings for the use of the American consuIs
in China, Japan and Korea. These build
ings. particularly those in China. are to
De appropriately marked so as to stand
as u memorial and perpetual reminder
of the Boxer rebellion.
After thorough investigation. by direc-
ton of Congress. the Secretary of State
has submitted plans and estimates as fol-
lows: