Omaha daily bee., 1910-10-05

upon, marriages to be witnessed and cert
fled to, and record OF all these things
to be kept
The government is especially cons'derats
OF the American seamen abroad. II he Is
stranded his way is paid back to the
United States. II he is III trated on the
vessel OF whose crew he is member. his
interests are carefully looked after. Where
ever there Is an American consulate the
flag of Uncle Sam means protection to the
American seaman. This has led others TO
presume that Uncle Sam pays the way Of )
any stranded American seamen back to
his home, and thousands appeal for such
aid. But the seaman IL In a class by him
self In this regard, and IL aid be given 20
others It must come out the the consurs
pocket or from private charity. Women
whose husbands have left them, others who
have regretted their marriage 20 foreigners,
and thousands of both sexes with varying
tales of woe annually appeal to the mem
bers of the diplomatic and consular service
for aid in getting back to their American
homes.
Few nations enjoy such an extensive
trade abroad as the United States and
much of the success of the American ex-
porter is due TO the activity of the men
vice. They are the watchmen on the tow
ers of international trade, spying out the
country for new fields of commercial OPP
| portunity and seeking for every kind of
data that will enable the American ex-
port business to continue to grow. Not
long ago q New England manufacturer of
knives asked the consular service for a
| list OF retail dealers in cutlery in Eng
land. He got II and is now carrying Goals
1
field. Another manufacturer asked for GER
| tain information and since the receipt Of
It has doubled his export trade. So sue
cessful has been the consular service OF
the United States that II is being made the
pattern after which Germany, England and
France are modelling theirs.
The secretary of state handles many
things of a purely domestic interest in adj
dition to his attention to all foreign mat
tiers. It was this that led to the chang
ing of the name OF the department. In
the early years of the government 1t was
known as the department of Foreign Rela-
tons, but the desire OF those in authority
at that time to make its activities include
certain home affairs led It to be called
the State department. The secretary of
state is the medium of correspondence be-
tween the president of the United States
and the governors Of the several states.
He also has the custody OF the great seal
Of the United States which affixes to all
executive proclamations, to various COM
missions, and to warrants for the extradi-
ton of fugitives from justice. He is the
custodian of the treaties made with foreign
countries and of the laws OF the United
States.
The publication and distribution OF the
laws Of congress- so as to make them acces-
sible to the general public is entrusted to
the State department The secretary also
Issues all passports, promulgates amend
ments to the constitution of the United
States and proclaims the admission of new
states into the union. All matters pertain
ing to the American end of international
conferences and congresses are arranged
through the State department. Various in
situations, including missionary societies.
have the pro lection assured through Its
labors, as in The case of the establishment
of schools and hospitals In foreign lands.
record is kept Of all marriages OF Ameri-
can citizens abroad and also of all children
born abroad. A register of all citizens Of
the United States residing in foreign lands
is maintained, and inquiries are instituted
for those who go to foreign countries and
, disappear.
When any branch of the government
wishes information from foreign country
the State department uses the diplomatic
and consular service as the medium fol
securing it. When congress wants to know
about postal savings banks, the information
is forthcoming through these channels
When the status OF divorce laws In Europe
is OF interest to an important American 80
ciety, the State department ascertains whal
the situation is. In addition to all this Q
sort of who's Who" Is kept OF nearly
every citizen of prominence in the world
For instance, a foreign government ap
points one OF its citizens az minister to the
8 United States or a citizen OF another coun
a try as q member of q court OF aritration II
4 which American interests are involved. The
0 State department has a card index contain
E ing complete information about them. Thii
o shows whether the appointee is likely to b
4 persona grata or whether his presenc,
: would be objectionable.
! HY FEEDERI0 J. HAs1XN.
0 Tomorrow-rhs Governments at work
d I11.-Ths Treasury Department