The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1912-12-05

Wnere previously this government
from time to time would emphasize in
its foreign relations one or another
policy, now American interests In ev-
cry quarter Of the globe are being
cultivated with equal assiduity.
Merit System In Consular and DlpIo-
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 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 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
non-partisan basis of the merit sys-
tenn, 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 whomI have appoint
ed, eleven were promoted from the,
lower grades of the foreign service 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 mis-
sion are service men, three having
entered 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
examination were chosen for ascer-
tanned fitness, without regard to DO
litical 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
e1gn service. In the effort to euualize
the representation of the various
states in the consular service I have
made sixteen Of the twenty-nine new
appointments as consul which have
occurred during my administration
from the southern states. This is So
per cent. Every other consular ap-
pointment made, including the promo
ton of eleven young men from the
consular 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 continuance Of the resulting
benefits of this reform, l earnestly re-
new my previous recommendations of
legislation making 1t permanent along
some such lines as those Of the meas
ure now pending in congress.