The Ellensburg dawn. [volume] (Ellensburg, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1912-12-05

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 rela lions 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 organizati ton.
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 reorganiza 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. 26. 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 Ell
cheney, as had been maintained with
out exception in the consular service.
Merit and Nonpartisan Character Of
Appointments.
How faithful to the IN system
and how nonpartisan has been the
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 l 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 | have ap-
pointed, eleven were promoted from
the lower grades of the foreign serv-
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-
ministration.
The thirty-seven secretaries Of en-
bassy or legation who have received
their initial appointments after pass
ing successfully the required exami-
nation were chosen for ascertatned nt-
ness. without regard to political az
filiations. A dearth of candidates
from southern and western states has
alone made 1t impossible thus far
completely to eQualiZe all the states
representations In the foreign service.
In the effort to equalize the representa-
ton Of the various states in the con-
sular service have made sixteen Of
the twenty-nine new appointments as
consul which have occurred during
my administration from the southern
states. This is IS per cent. Every
other consular appointment made. In
GLIDING the promotion Of eleven young
men from the consular assistant and
student Interpreter 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. earnestly re-
new my previous recommendations OF
legislation making it permanent along
some such lines as those Of the meas
IRE now pending in congress.
Larger Provision For Embassiss and
Legations and For Other ExPsnsss Of
Our Foreign Representatives Rec
commended.
In connection with legislation for the
amelioration of the foreign service. /
wish to invite attention to the advisa-
bility of placing the salary appropria.
tons upon better basis. believe
that the best results would be obtained
nv n moderate scale of salaries. with