Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-05

The government is especially consider
ate or the American seaman abroad. II
he Is stranded
Provision for his way is paid
American Seamen. 80, &c.. 'ne
he Is ill-treated on the vessel OF whose
crew he Is a member. his interests are
carefully looked after. Wherever there
is an American consulate the flag of
Uncle Sam means protection to the Ameri-
can seaman. This has led others to pre-
sumo that Uncle Sam pays the way of
any stranded American back to his home.
and thousands appeal for such aid. But
the seaman is In class by himself in
tnls regard, and II aid be given to others
II must come out Of the consurs pocket or
ION prlvate charity. Women whose hus-
bands have left them, others who have Re-
GREETED their marriage to foreigners and
thousands OF both sexes with varying
tales or woe annually appeal to the mem
ners OF the diplomatic and consular serv-
Ice for aid In getting back to their
American homes
Few nations enjoy such an extensive
trade abroad as the United States, and
nuch or the success of the American ex-
porter Is due to the activity OF the men
VINO make up the American consular serv-
ice. They are the watchmen on the
towers Of international trade, spying out
tne country for new fields OF commercial
opportunity and seeking for every kind
of data that will enable the American
export business to continue to grow Not
long ago New England manufactured
OF knives asked the consular service for
a Ilst OF retail dealers in cutlery in Eng
iaho. He got 1t and is now carrying
Goals to Newcastle by sending knives to
SheHeid Another manufacturer asked
TOT certain information, and since the
RECEIPT OF II has doubled his export trade.
nj hoc
service of the United States that it is be-
ing made the pattern after which Ger
many, England and France are modelling
theirs.
80
The Secretary OF State handles many
things of a purely domestic interest in
addition to his at
Secretary's Duties tention to all
Varied. Iore'sn matters II
to the changing Of the name of the de-
partment. In the early years Of the gov
eminent 1t was known as the Department
of Foreign Relations, but the desire of
those in authority at that time to make
its activities include certain home affairs
led 1t to be called the State Department
The Secretary of State is the medium of
correspondence between 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 he aff1Xes to all executive
proclamations, to various commissions
and to warrants for the extradition of
fugttfves from justice. He is the Gus
todian Of the treaties made with foreign
countries and Of the laws of the United
States.
The publication and distribution of the
laws or Congress. so as to make them
accessible to the general public, is intrust-
ed to the State Department The Secre-
tary also issues all passports. promulgates
amendments to the Constitution Of the
United States and proclaims the admission
of new states into the Union. All mat
| tiers pertaining to the American end of
the international conferences and con-
crosses are arranged through the State
Department. Various institutions fnclud-
ing missionary societies, have their pro-
lection assured through its labors, as in
the case of the establishment of schools
and hospitals In foreign lands. A record
Is kept of all marriages of American
citizens abroad and also of all children
born abroad A register of all citizens
or 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
wlsnes Information from a foreign coun-
try, the State De-
Diplomatic par,ment uses the
Co.. diplomatic and con-
0S oSeAuA' sular service as the
medium for 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 society. the
State Department ascertains what the
situation is. In addition to all this a sort
of Who's Who is kept of nearly every
citizen Of prominence in the world For
instance, foreign government appoints
one of its citizens as minister to the
United States or citizen of another
country as a member of a court of arbi-
tration in which American interests are
involved. The State Department has q
card index containing complete informa-
ton, about each. This shows whether the
appointee is likely to be persona grata
or whether his presence would be objec-
tionable.
Tomorrow-THE GOVERNMENT AT