The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1912-12-04

LaCln-Amef1ca, Wnere our feiatlOnS are
close and our interest is great. fifteen
chiefs Of mission are service men.
three having entered the service during
this administration.
The t~hirty-seven secretaries of en-
bassy or legation who have received
their initial appointments after passing
successfully the required examination
were chosen for ascertained fitness,
without regard to political affiliations.
A dearth Of candidates from southern
and western states has alone made it
impossible thus far completely to equal
lie all the states representations in
the foreign service. In the effort to
~equalize the representation Of the va
r1ous states in the consular service l
have made sixteen of the tw%enty-nine
new appointments as consul which
have occurred during my administra-
ton from the southern states. This is
IS per cent. Every, other consular ap-
pointment made, including the promo
ton of eleven young men from the con
sular assistant and student interpreter
corps, has been by promotion or trans
fer, based solely upon efficiency shown
in the service.
Larger Provision For Embassies and
Legations Recommended.
In connection with legislation for the
amelioration Of the foreign service, l
wish to invite attention to the advisa-
bility Of placing the salary appropria-
tons upon a better basis. l 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 under the general di-
rection of the department of state.
In line with the object which l have
sought of placing our foreign service
on a basis Of permanency, l have at
various times advocated provision by
congress for the acquisition of govern
ment owned buildings for the residence
and offices of our diplomatic officers, so
as to place them more nearly on an
equality with similar officers Of other
nations and to do away with the dis
elimination which otherwise must nee
essarily be made in some cases in favor
Of men having large private fortunes.
Diplomacy a Handmade Of Commercial
Intercourse and Peace.
The diplomacy of the present adj
ministration has sought to respond to
modern ideas of commercial inter-
course. This policy has been charac-
terized as substituting dollars for bull
let's. 1t is one that appeals alike to
idealistic humanitarian sentiments, to
the dictates of sound policy and STRAIT
egg and to legitimate commercial
aims. 1t is an effort frankly directed
to the increase of American trade upon
the automatic principle that the gov
eminent of the United States shall eX-
tend all proper support to every legiti-
mate and beneficial American enter
prise abroad. How great have been
the results of this diplomacy, coupled
with the maximum and minimum pro-
vision Of the tariff law, will be seen
by some consideration Of the wonder
full Increase in the export trade Of the
United States Because modern di-
plomacy is commercial there has been
q disposition in some quarters to at
tribute to 1t none but materialistic
aims. How %strikingly erroneous is
such an impression may be seen from
a study of the results by which the
diplomacy Of the United States can be
Judged.
Successful Efforts In Promotion Of
Peace.
In the field of work toward the ideals
Of peace this government negotiated
but to my regret was unable to con
summate, two arbitration treaties
which set the highest mark of the
aspiration of nations toward the sub
stitution of arbitration and reason fo1
, war in the settlement of internationa
disputes. Through the efforts O
American diplomacy several war;
= have been prevented or ended. l re
: fer to the successful tripartite media
= ton Of the Argentine Republic, Bra
I'll, and the United States betweel
Peru and Ecuador, the bringing of tn
y boundary dispute between Panam
and Costa Rica to peaceful arbitra
l! ton; the staying Of warlike prepara
tons when Haiti and the Dominica
Il Republic We're on the verge OF hosti
'e tiles; the stopping Of a war in Near;
T. qua; the hating of internecine strif
1t in Honduras.
o. The government Of the Unite
in States was thanked for Its intluenc
H. toward the restoration of amicable II
it lations between the Argentine Republi
he and Bolivia. The diplomacy of til
h. United States is active in seeking I
H. assuage the remaining i'll feeling b.
ic tween this country and the republic {
H. Colombia. In the recent civil wal !
st China the United States successful
r. Joined with the other interested power
in urging an early cessation of hostil
IN ties. An agreement has been reache
ic between the governments of Chile m
of Peru whereby the celebrated Tacn;