Evening journal., 1913-04-02
MONEY VS.. BRAINS IN THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE

strong appeal to the American people The germ Of
the argument is that the diplomatic service of the
United States should be based upon principles and
conditions that will permit is able but not
wealthy to accept even the most exalted place in
the service witho ut fear Of financial embarrassment
Ing to its official, social and other obligations Mr.
Jones says that among the important questions that
confront President Wilson is that which involves the
choice Of ENJOYS 10 this country the cap
itas OF the world. He insists that with the growth
of commerce and the spread of the demand for peace
among nations Of the highest civilization. the post Of
foreign representative has increased in Importance
and upon him. in greater measure than in the
past though perhaps for the same reasons rests
a larger responsibility.
Mr.. Jones says the history OF American diplomacy
for more than half century is basis for the cyn-
cal view many Of take of the American diplomatic
service Attention is called the that the say
ing is current that cannot afford to accept
the post Of ambassador minister to a foreign coun-
try unless either he has fortune or his wifes rela
upes can come forward with the cash necessary for
him to uphold dignity and furnish display The sec
retaria positions long have been regarded as the pre-
negatives of rich mems sons, who do not have live
on the spends paid and who are thus furnished op-
portuntes for careers and for meeting the really
best people abroad, thereby winning or adding to-
their social prestige at home. The president of the
Embassy Association adds that it considered that
the main qualifications for such positions consisted,
aside from wealthy relatives, in knowing what sort
VI todb ~ wear social uncuOns IN being able to
determine whether to address foreigner as your
Grace" or your LoTdshp7 or as plain Mister or
Monsieur" in the ability to estimate the social or
financial status of the American from home and
whether his influence counted for anything with the
administration" and in knowing just when society
should move to Cowes Scotland, or Trouve, or
KEEL and getting aboard the train that carried the
most important consignment Of it.
This apex Of snobbishness has let us hope for
ever passed" Mr. Jones adds. Il believe the present
requirements that must be met by candidates for
eign secretaral appointments have greatly benefited
this branch OF foreign service years the i'm
portant ambassadoral posts have been considered
proper rewards for the who have made the big
ges contributions the campaign chest of the sue
cessful political party. In determining the qualhca-
lions OF candidate frequently only two considera-
tons have been taken into account namely: What
did he contribute the campaign and has he an am
pie fortune? We have the authority of President Taft
that he could appoint only mllionaires to occupy our
highest diplomatic posts"
Mr. Jones calls attention to the following extracts
from speech delivered by President Taft before the
National Board of Trade on January &C. 1910:
1--WE boast ourselves a democratic country We say
that there place within the gift the people to
which we may not select the most humble inhabitant
providing he is fit to discharge its duty and yet we
have arrangement which makes it absolutely i'm
possible for one but millionaire to occupy the
highest diplomatic post Now, ask you whether this
is consistency; whether it is not the purest kind OF
demagogy BY demagogy ] mean the advancement OF
an argument which seems to be in favor Of the
democracy, but which, when it actually works out is
in favor Of putocracy'
The pamphlet also calls attention to the fact that
President Taft in his message to Congress on De-
cember last said he at various times had advocated
provision by Congress for the acquisition of Govern
mentowned buildings for the residence and offices Of
diplomatic officers to place them more nearly
on equality with similar officers of other nations
and do tl,o
wise must necessarily be made lin some cases. in
favor Of men having large private fortunes"
AS we appropriate annually over s2OO00OOOO in
making preparations to keep a hostile footing with
other nations well afford expend So 100000
to promote friendship with them" Mr. Jones says
rs not American ambassadors duty the cultiva-
ton of friendship among the people Of the country to
which he is accredited, that he may be prepared
to speedily smooth over any rough places. thereby
avertng possible and. through being on friendly
terms with the government and the people, to get
everything possible in the way of commercial advan-
ages for country? Is~it any part of his duty to
create snobbsh circle by entertaining certain
travelling Americans? This course may aid him. but
il brings no benefit to the people OF country Does
not his duty toward Americans abroad lie in throw
ing the arm Of the Government around them and pro-
tectng them whenever they arc in trouble? he
eve that countrymen will point with pride to a
place in which they feel they have citizens rights
and where they might and go with the same
freedom that existing at the White House in Wash
ngton. So long as our representatives abroad are
compelled to expend large sums from their private
fortunes, just long will citizens feel that their
rights IN such residences uncertain and that such
expenditures the OF representatives tend
to give them too much independence toward their com
patriots and thereby render them useful to their
fellow citizens and their country"
Mr. Jones takes the view, and it represents the SEN
timent of the members OF the American Embassy AS
sociaton and thousands OF Others that the Govern
ment should provide suitable residences and offices
for its representatives abroad also pay them such
salaries as will enable them the official and
social requirements Of the position without drawing
/ upon their private fortunes Were that done. many
splendid men who barred by financial con-
siderauons from accepting important diplomatic posi-
tons would be able to accept them and give to the
country much better service than often is given under
/ conditions they exist today