The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-03-12
In Changing the Diplomatic
Corps the New President
Intends to Select Only Suit
able Men.
STAGGERING JOLT TO
THE OFFICE SEEKERS
Changes Will Be So Made in
This important Service that
Others Besides Wealthy
Men to Qualify.
BY Sheldon S. Cline.

BY Sheldon S. Cline.
Washington, March IA really
disclosure OF the TAFT admin
istration is that there exists a scarcity
of men available for diplomatic APP
pcin.ments. There are plenty of men
sp,endidly equipped as to ability and
character who would be willing to &C.
cert diplomatic posts-but they are too
poor. There are plenty of men who
have all the money needcd-but. oh
we'll. The difficulty is In finding the
combination of ability. character and
money, coupled with an ambition to
serve the country abroad.
Rough on Job Hunters.
President Taft isn't going to make
any diplomatic appointments just now.
That has been authoritatively announc-
ed. Later on he would like to make
pretty general cleaning up of the Dip
lomatic corps. putting new men at the
head of most of the important en-
bassies and legations. The only thing
that will stop him will be q scarcity
of material. Mr.. Taft is, go:rs to De
just as particular about diplomatic ap-
pointnents as he is about appoint
ments to the judiciary. He had a
long experience on the bench. and like
wise he has Ind no Uncomfortable dip
lomatic experience. having. during his
cabinet days, been American amtas-
sador to about all the world, including
the Pope of Rome.
Material 10 Scarce.
1t isn't the fault OF the American cit
izenshfp that Diplomatic material is
scarce. There are as many or mora
men qualified tcI-y fer diplomacy
than ever before. The fault las bssl
with the diplomatic appointments OF
the past ten years. There has been
nc fault to find with TIE ability ami
character of the men appointed. The
difficulty has been that they had too
much money. or. rather. that they
spent too much money. TIE idea
spread through the corps ti.at the In
terests Of the American republic could
best be served by elaborate hospitality.
There is no doubt that in scEne in
stances this helped: in others it hurt.
More to the point, though. 1t has es-
tablished scale Of living for cur rep
resentatives abroad which requires an
independent torture. eld large one,
to maintain. A man who would have
only his sasary, CT even moderate IN
come in addition. is unwilling, for in
stance. to accept the London POST. and
those OF Whitetaw Reid.
Mr. Reid, by the way. las been one
of the best and most succes5ful ambas-
sailors We ever ssnt to the o-nrt OF st.
James. and he would like to remain
there but Pre9ider. Tat isr1't going to
let him. The re--cn is that the long
er Mr.. Reid remains at LONDON the
more difficult 1t will be for any one
but a millionaire to succeed him.
To Remedy Conditions.
A remedy. at least a partial one, for
this condition. is in the kanjs of con-
gress. 1t Is to provide in each prfn-
cipal capital an emba.sy CIR legation
building which shall be the official res.
idence of the American ambassador or
minister. and to provide fer each a
sum sufficient: fer its maintenance in
the way of servants and carriages. II
this were donc. the present salaries
$17. SEQ a year In the case Of ambassa-
dors aI,1 varying in the case of minis
ters according to the importance of the
ro-t-would be adequate for all rea'
sonable purtoses-
This would call for a very consider
abe outlay Ct money. it is true. but IL
would add mere to the dignity and
prestige CT the United States than any
numbe- CT Hsuiti-ntiliona.re ambaska-
dcrs who were lavish and at times os-
tentasious in their display of wealth
With Official residences provided il
would be necessary to create in the dip
lonlatic service a sentiment that would
be unbeccming for an ambassador OF
minister. no matter how great his
wealth. to inculge in expenditures be
ycnd his salary ard allowances.
Under such conditions the govern
:nent could avail itself Of the highes'
talent for the diplomatic service and
the president would not have to hest.
tate. as he does now. to offer import
art posts to men like DR.. Eliot. forme,
president OF Harvard. whom Mr.. Taf'
would like to send to London.
Opals.
The opal used IN jewelry is distin
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