Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-01


dred and eighty thousand dollars year. 1t is doubtful
if this would bankrupt the United States of America
and it is certain that it would draw into the consular
service who would stick and would return al
most that much additional profit the nation large
Hence it is doubtful if the United States would lose
cent by the transaction. 1t would create splendid
little army of trade experts who would practically pay
their way.
1t must be remembered that Consul of the United
States put dollar of his private funds if he has
any, into any business that would add to his income
He might some investment that would bring him in
good profits; but he debarred from taking advantage
of his knowledge and forfets considerable bond if he
does There day when he got the fees from his
office That too is done away with. He has chance
whatever under the present rules to provide for his old
age and each year. as our government increases in
world Importance he is compelled to dress better, to
terrain to keep up the dignity of his position by
living expensive places and at last has reached
point where unless has big private income he
actually cannot afford to accept any Consulate have
to offer.
l intimately acquainted with one Consul in
of the important cities in the world who loses
from four hundred to six hundred dollars year by
being Consul. He stays at his post, works like
trojan and holds just because his private income
actly offsets the amount of his loss and he knows that
if he went back to the United States after twenty years
absence he would be unable to get any employment
whatever More than five years ago he got leave of alb
sence and tried He is well connected and to the
president of railway who had been his roommate in
Harvard He asked for anything that could be given
him that would be within his power; but his old room
mate pointed at his head.
aMan," he said @you white headed. You don't
know anything about raroadng. d like to take you
secretary something of that sort; but it
would take you four five to learn the new bust
and by that time you might be dead This is the
day of young men. I'm sorry
This friend has fine chance and nice outlook when
he is finally compelled to let go and return to America
support his family, after he is out the fat
income of seven hundred dollars year!
THERE was day not long ago when our consular
service was Joke. When any of US who wan
dered particularly in South American countries, got
if we were WISE and he obgngly helped out because
we spoke the same tongue Times have changed since
then.
Once went to an American Consul in one of those
far countries and tried to get friend of scrape
He listened to and then said:
"Now look here. Your friend will starve to death
down there in the Jail before | could get him out.
You know how it is with us. The government doesn't
back us up all. I'll tell you what will do. Well
go to the British Consul and put it up to him con-
fdentally He's good fellow, and will say this man is
British subject. When he makes demand they
fast, because they know that if they don't come to
time, and he demands it, there will be British gunboat
here in twenty-four hours to back him up. With me 1T
would take year get the government to make pro-
test kid gloved to these fellows and they aren't afraid
of me because they know the U. S. A. does much
but bluff.
That British Consul trump! He had my friend
bail in three hours lat twothrty O'Clock in the
morning. had hearing before the court at nine the
same morning, and when he acquitted Charged
with having resisted ocer refused to allow
to extend club courtes1eS.
A WRITER does not like to intrude personalities
into that which he writes but this purely and
personally appeal for fair play and written in the
deavor to make few people think must continue
make personal and contrast with the previous
perience others gained in the year 1911.
The wanderlust early that year, getting to fever
heat the fifth of January, when, with an English
friend, who is independent in income, and has every
thing to command attention in the way of address,
means, name and connections started over through
Bavaria and moved by slow degrees toward Novgorod
At Munich decided go through Rurnana and into
Russia To enter either of these countries 1t is neces
sary to have passports vised by Consul General
of the countries themselves explained the emergency