American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1912-12-05
cultivated with equni assiduity.
Merit System IN Consular and Dlpio-
matIc Corpo.

training must evidently be the essence
Of this reorganization. Without a
trained foreign service there would
not be lei available for the work IN
the recognized 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 this age
Of commercial diplomacy 1t was evil
IDENTIFY Of the first Importance to train
an adequate personnel In that branch
Of the service. Therefore, on Novem-
Der 20. 1909, by an executive order I
placed the diplomatic service up to
the grade Of secretary Of embassy, in
elusive, upon exactly the same strict
non-partisan basis of the merit sys-
tenn. rigid examination for appoint
ment and promotion only for eni-
cheney. as had been maintained without
exception In the consular service.
Successful Efforts In Promotion Of
Peace.
In the field OF work toward the
ideals of peace this government ne
gotiated, but to my regret was unable
10 consummate. two arbitration trea-
ties which set the highest mark OF
the aspiration Of nations toward the
substitution of arbitration and reason
for war In the settlement OF interna-
tional disputes, Through the efforts
OF American diplomacy several wars
have been prevented or ended. / re-
fer to the successful tripartlte medi-
alton Of the Argentine republic, Bra
ELL and the United States between
Peru and Ecuador; the bringing OF the
boundary dispute between Panama
n Costa Rica to peaceful arbitra-
ton; the staying Of warlike prepara-
lions when Hayti and the Dominican
republic were on the verge OF hostili-
ties; the stopping of a war In Nicarag-
ua; the hating of internecine strife
In Honduras. The government of the
United States was thanked for its in
fiuence TOWARD the restoration of annie
able relations between the Argentine
republic and Bolivia. The diplomacy
OF the United States Is active in seek
Ing to assuage tho remaining %ill-feel-
between this country and the Re-
public of Colombia. In the recent Civ
IL war in China the United States sue
cessfully Joined with the other inter
ested powers In urging an early ces-
sation of hostilities. An agreement
has been reached between the govern
OF Chile and Peru whereby the
Tacna-Arica dispute, which
has so long embittered international
Pm the west coast Of South
America, has at last been adjusted.
simultaneously came the news that
boundary dispute between Peru
Of amicable settlement. The position
Of the United States In reference to
Tacna-Arica dispute between
Chile and Peru has been one of non
but one of friendly in
and pacific counsel throughout
he period during which the dispute
IN question has been the subject of
Of views between this
government and the two governments
concerned.
China.
In China the policy of encouraging
.inanciai Investment to enable that
to help itself has had the re-
'ult OF giving new life and practical
application to the open-door policy.
The consistent purpose Of the present
administration has been to
he use Of American capital In the
Of China by the promo
ion Of those essential reforms to
which China Is pledged by treaties
With the United States and other pow.
'rs. The hypothecation to foreign
In connection with certain In
Enterprises. such as the Huku-
railways. of the national reven-
les upon which these reforms depend
ID. led the department of state early
n the administration to demand for
american citizens participation in
'uch enterprises. In order that the
United States might have equal ri. hts
md an equal voice in all questions
pertaining to the disposition Of the
'ublic concerned. The same
'olicy of promoting international ac-
ord among the powers having similar
reaty rights as ourselves in the mat
ers of reform. which could not he
'ut Into practical effect without the
ommon conse~t of all. was likewise
In the c-se OF the loan de-
ired by China for the reform of its
urrency.
America Needs Our Help In
In Central America the aim has
to help such countries as Mica
and Honduras to help them.
They are the immediate bene-
The national benefit to the
'nited States is two-fold. First. it is
bvious that the Monroe doctrine In
lore vital in the neighborhood of the ,
anama canal and the zone of the 3,
than anywhere else. There. q,
10. the maintenance of that aoo.r.~ .