Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1912-12-05

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 di-
plomacy it was evidently of the first
importance to train an adequate per-
sonnet 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 eff
cheney, as had been maintained with
out exception in the consular service.
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 am.
bassadors now serving held their pres
ent rank ut the beginning of my ad-
ministration. OF the ten ambassadors
whom l have appointed five were by
promotion from the rank of minister.
Nine ministers now serving held their
present rank at the beginning of the
administration. OF the thirty ministers
whom 1 have appointed. 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 mission are service men,
three having entered the service during
this administration.
The thirty-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.
ize all the states representations in
the foreign service. In the effort to
equalize the representation of the va
rious states in the consular service
have made sixteen Of the twenty-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-
lions upon better basis. l believe
that the best results would be obtained
by 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 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, 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 ad-
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 huma nitarian sentiments. to
the dictates Of sound policy and STRAIT
egg and to legitimate commercial
aims. 1t Is an effort frankly directed