The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1912-12-06

upon. q mass Of intricate business vi.
tal to American interests in every
country In the world.
The department Of state was 40
archaic and inadequate machine. lack
ing most Of the attributes Of the for.
eiyn onlca Of any great modern power.
With az. appropriation made upon my
recommendation BY the congress on
Aug. 8. 1909, the department Of state
vas completely reorganized. There
were created divisions Of Latin-Amer-
lean affairs and of far eastern. near
eastern and western European affairs.
To these divisions were called from
the foreign service diplomatic and con-
sular officers possessing experience
and knowledge gained by actual serv-
ice in different parts Of the world and
thus familiar with political and COM
mercial conditions In the regions con-
cerned. The work was highly special
lied. The result is that where pre-
viously this government from time to
time would emphasize in its foreign
relations one or another policy, now
American interests in every quarter Of
the globe are being cultivated with
equal assiduity.
This principal Of politico- geograph-
ical division possesses also the good
feature of making possible rotation
between the officers of the department
tai, the diplomatic and the consular
branches Of the foreign service, and
thus keeps the whole diplomatic and
consular Establishments under the de-
partment of state in close touch and
equally inspired with the aims and
policy of the government. Through
the newly created division of informa-
ton the foreign service is kept fully
informed Of what transpires from day
to day in the International relations Of
the country. and contemporary foreign
comment affecting American interests
is promptly brought to the attention
Of the department.
The law offices of the department
were greatly strengthened. There were
added foreign trade advisers to coop
crate with the diplomatic and consular
bureaus and the politico-geographical
divisions in the innumerable matters
where commercial diplomacy or con.
sular work calls for such special
knowledge. The same officers, together
with the rest Of the new organization.
are able at all times to give to Ameri.
can citizens accurate Information as to
conditions in foreign countries with
which they have business and likewise
to cooperate more effectively with the
congress and also with the other ex-
ecutive departments.
Merit System In Consular and DipIo.
matte Corps.
Expert knowledge and professional
training must evidently be the essence
Of this reorga MIA ton. Without train
ed foreign service there would not be
men available for the work in the reor.
ganized department of state. President
Cleveland had taken the first step to-
ward introducing the merit system in
the foreign service. That had been fol-
lowed by the application Of the merit
principle. with excellent results, to the
entire consular branch. Almost moth
ing. however. had been done In this d.
rection with regard to the diplomatic
service. In this age of commercial d.
plomacy 1t was evidently Of the first
importance to train an adequate person.
mel in that branch Of the service.
Therefore. on Nov. 20. 1909. BY an
executive order placed the diplomatic
service up to the grade of secretary Of
embassy. inclusive. upon exactly the
same strict nonpartisan basis Of the
merit system, rigid examination for ap-
pointment and promotion only for EN-
cheney. as had been maintained with.
out exception in the consular service.
Merit and Nonpartisan Character Of
Appointments.
How faithful to the merit system
conduct Of the diplomatic and con-
sular services in the last four years
may be judged from the following:
Three ambassadors now serving held
their present rank at the beginning
of my administration. OF the ten
ambassadors whom have appointed.
FIVE were by promotion from the rank
of minister. Nine ministers now serv-
ing held their present rank at the be-
ginning Of the administration. OF the
thirty ministers whom l have ap-
pointed. eleven were promoted from
the lower grades OF the foreign sery-
ice or from the department Of state
OF the nineteen missions In Latin
America. where our relations are close
and our interest Is great, fifteen chiefs
of mission are service men. three hav-
ing entered the service during this ad-