The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1912-12-07

near eastern, and western European
affairs. To these divisions were called
from the foreign service diplomatic
end consular officers possessing expe
rience and knowledge gained by act
ual service in different parts OF the
world and thus familiar with political
and commercial conditions in the re,
gions concerned. The work was high
ly specialized. The result is that
where previously this government
from time to time would emphasize in
Its foreign relations enc or another
policy, now American interests in ev-
cry quarter OF the globe are being
cultivated with equal assiduity.
Merit System in Consular and Diplo-
matte Corps.
Expert knowledge and professional
training must evidently be the essence
of this reorganization. Without a
trained foreign service there would
not be men available for the work In
the reorganiZed department of state.
President Cleveland has taken the
first step toward introducing the
merit system in the foreign service.
That had been followed by the appli-
cation OF the merit principle, with ex-
cellent results, to the entire consular
branch. Almost nothing. however, had
been done in this direction with regard
TO the diplomatic service. In )his age
of commercial diplomacy It was evil
IDENTIFY Of the first importance to train
an adequatespersonnel in that branch
Of the service. Therefore, on Novem-
Der rs. 1909, by an executive order
placed the diplomatic service up to
the grade of secretary Of embassy. in
elusive. upon exactly the same strict
bipartisan basis of the merit sys-
TEN, rigid examination for appoint
ment and promotion only for eff
cheney, as had been maintained without
exception in the consular service
Statistics as to Merit and Nonpartisan
Character Of Appointments.
How faithful to the merit system
and how nonpartisan has been the con-
duct of the diplomatic and consular
services In the last four years may be
judged from the following: Three
ambassadors now serving held their
present rank at the beginning of the
administration. OF the ten ambassa-
doris whom have appointed. five were
by promotion from the rank Of min
lister. Nine ministers now serving
held their present rank at the begin
ming of the administration. OF the
thirty ministers whom I have appoint
ed, eleven were promoted from the
lower grades of the foreign service or
from the department of state or the
nineteen missions in Latin America,
where our relations are close and our
interest Is great, fifteen chiefs of mis-
sion are service men. three having
the service during this admin
istration. The thirty-seven secreta-
ries Of embassy or legation who have
received their initial appointments
after passing successfully the required
were chosen for ascer-
tanned fitness, without regard to po-
Iitical affiliations. A dearth of candi-
dates from southern and western
states has alone made 1t impossible
thus far completely to equalize all
the states representations in the for
eign service. In the effort to equalize
the representation of the various
states in the consular service l have
made sixteen of the twenty-nine new
appointments as consul which have
occurred during my administration
from the southern states. This is SIS
per cent. Every other consular ap-
pointment made. including the promo
ton OF eleven young men from the
assistant and student inter
prefer corps, has been by promotion or
transfer, based solely upon efficiency
shown In the service.
In order to assure to the business
and other interests of the United
States a continuance Of the resulting
benefits Of this reform, I earnestly re-
new my previous recommendations of
legislation making it permanent along
some such lines as those Of the meas.
ure now pending In congress.
Larger Provision for Embassies and
Legations and for Other Expenses
OF Our Foreign Representa-
tives Recommended.
In connection with legislation for
the amelioration of the foreign sery.
Ice, l wish to invite attention to the
advisability Of placing the salary ap-
preparations upon a better basais. |
believe that the best results would
be obtained by a moderate scale of
salaries, with adequate funds for the
expenses of proper representation,
based in each case upon the scale and
cost OF living at each post, controlled
by a system Of accounting, and un-
der the general direction of the de-
partment of state.
In line with the object which have
sought of placing our foreign service
on a basis Of permanency, | have at
various times advocated provision by
congress for the acquisition of govern
ment-owned buildings for the resi-
dence and offices Of our diplomatic of.
ficers, so as to place them more near.
ly on an equality with similar officers
of other nations and to do away with
the discrimination which otherwise
must necessarily be made, in some
cases. in favor Of men having large
private fortunes. The act Of congress
which approved on February II, 1911,
was a right step in this direction.
The secretary of state has already
made the limited recommendation
permitted by the act for any one year,