Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1909-12-08

EIGHT ~
minable In 1912 is already receiving
the study Of both countries.
The department Of state Is consider
ing the revision in whole or In part of
the existing treaty with Siam. which
was concluded in 1856 and Is now, in
respect to many Of its provisions, out
Of date.
The Department of State.
earnestly recommend to the favor
able action Of the congress the esti-
mates submitted by the department Of
state and most especially the legisla-
ton suggested in the secretary Of
states letter Of this date whereby it
will be possible to develop and make
permanent the reorganization Of the
department upon modern lines in
manner to make it thoroughly ef-
ficient instrument in the furtherance
of our foreign trade and of American
interests abroad. The plan to have
divisions of Latin American and far
eastern affairs and to institute GER
tain specialization in business with
Europe and the near east will at once
commend ITSELF These politico-geo-
graphical divisions and the detail from
the diplomatic or consular service to
the department Of number of men
who bring to the study Of complicated
problems in different parts of the world
practical knowledge recently gained on
the spot clearly is Of the greatest ad-
vantage to the secretary Of state In
foreseeing conditions likely to arise
and in conducting the great variety Of
correspondence and negotiation. 1t
should be remembered that such facil-
tiles exist in the foreign Offices Of all
the leading commercial nations and
that to deny them to the secretary Of
state would be to place this govern
ment at a great disadvantage in the
rivalry Of commercial competition.
improved Consular Service.
The consular service has been great
" improved under the law of April 5,
1906, and the executive order Of June
q, 1906, and commend to your con-
sideration the question Of embodying
in statute the principles Of the pres
ent executive order upon which the
efficiency Of our consular service Is
wholly dependent.
In modern times political and COM
mercial interests are interrelated, and
in the negotiation of commercial tea-
ties, conventions and tariff agreements,
the keeping open of opportunities and
the proper support of American enter
prises our diplomatic service is quite
as important as the consular service to
the business interests of the country.
Impressed with this idea and con-
WINGED that selection after rigorous ex-
animation, promotion for merit solely
and the experience only to be gained
through the continuity Of an organized
service are indispensable to high de-
gree Of. efficiency in the diplomatic
service, have signed an executive or
der as the first step toward this very
desirable result. Its effect should be
to place all secretaries in the diplo-
matte service In much the same posi-
ton as consular officers are now placed
and to tend to the promotion OF the
most efficient to the grade Of minister,
generally leaving for outside appoint
ment such posts Of the grade OF am
bassador or minister as it may be e1-
pedient to fill from without the serv-
ice. It is proposed also to continue
the practice instituted last summer Of
giving to all newly appointed secre-
taries at least one months thorough
training In the department Of state be-
fore they proceed to their posts. This
has been done for some time In regard
to the consular service with excellent
results,
Under a provision Of the act Of Aug.
&. 1909, / have appointed three officials
to assist the officers of the government
in collecting information necessary to
q wise administration Of the tariff act
of Aug. 5, 1909. AS to questions OF
customs administration they are CO.
operating vita the officials OF the
treasury department and as to matters
of the needs and the exigencies Of our
manufacturers and exporters with the
department of commerce and labor in
its relation to the domestic aspect OF
the subject of foreign commerce. In
the study Of foreign tariff treatment
they will assist the bureau OF trade
relations of the department OF state.
1t is hoped thus to coordinate and
bring to bear upon this most important
subject all the agencies Of the govern
ment which can contribute anything to
its efficient handling.
AS a consequence of section 2 of the
tariff act Of Aug s, 1909, it becomes the
duty Of the secretary of state to con-
duct as diplomatic business all the
negotia tons necessary to place him In
a position to advise me as to whether
or not particular country unduly dis
eliminates against the United States
In the sense of the statute referred to.
The great scope and completely OF this
work, as we'll as the obligation to lend
all proper aid to our expanding COM
merce, is met by the expansion OF the
bureau Of trade relations as set forth
in the estimates for the department Of
state.