Evening star., 1915-05-20
Represents More Governments
in Foreign Countries Than
Any Other Nation.
.IF ITALY ENTERS WAR
TASKS WILL INCREASE
Extraordinary Demands Necessitate
Larger Clerical Stats Abroad.
U. S. Bears Expense.

The diplomatic and consular machin-
cry of the United States government is
caring for the affairs of more countries
and nationalities than any one nation
has in the history of the world.
If Italy were to enter the European
conflict, American ambassadors, minis
ters and consuls abroad would add to
their already numerous tasks the Gus
tody OF Italian interests in Austria,
Germany and Turkey. as we'll as Aus
trian interests in Italy.
Inasmuch as Italy has been acting
for Russia in Turkey, the American
embassy in Constantinople is expected
to take over Russian affairs. Switzer-
land would handle German interests in
Italy.
An appropriation of 100000 in the
last Congress provides for extra cler-
ical help and interpreters. Caring for
the diplomatic and consular interests
of friendly nation is a courtesy the
expense of which is borne by the neu-
trail country.
The extraordinary demands Of this
work not only have necessitated In
creases in the staffs abroad, but have
resulted in the employment of a large
special force at the State Department.
AS rule important communications
pass through Washington. but in many
cases much of the routine business is
accomplished by direct telegraph and
cable between the governments con-
cerned and the American embassies and
legations.
Countries q. s. Represents.
The United States now represents
Austria, Germany, Turkey, Belgium,
Servia, Great Britain, France, Russia
and Japan. all belligerents, in various
quarters of the globe.
Some neutral nations also have asked
the United States to look out for their
interests. Switzerland, which has no
representation in China. has also asked
the State Department to instruct the
American legation to care for Swiss
affairs there.
Since the outbreak Of the war the
American government also has by re-
quest taken charge of the diplomatic
or consular interests of Switzerland,
Denmark, Greece. Panama, Brazil. MIC
aragua and Guatemala in some coun-
tries and cities where they had no rep
resentatives. Some of the belligerents
are represented in various places by
Spain and Switzerland.
In Diplomatic Service.
Up to date the United States through
its embassies. legations or consulates
represents the interests of foreign gov
ernments as follows:
Diplomatic:
In Serbia-German and Austrian.
In Austria-French, British and Jap
anese.
In Russia-Austrian and German.
In Germany-French, British, Japa-
nese and Serbian.
In France-Austrian, German, Turk
ish, Guatemalan and Nicaraguan.
In decentralization. German. Brit
faI ay~xHa To nnn nfoh nd
In Great Britain-Austrian. German
and Turkish
In Japan-Austrian and German.
In Egypt-German. Brazilian and
In Turkey-French. Serbian, British.
Belgian and Swiss.
Consular Affairs.
Consular:
In Austria-Canadian. Russian, Ser
bian. Japanese and British.
In Germany-French, British, Cana
dian and Panamanian.
In France and possessions-Turkish
Austrian and German.
In Belgium-Turkish, British and
Japanese.
In Russia-Austrian, Serbian at
Warsaw.
In Japan-Austrian and German at
Yokohama. and German and Swiss, at
Kobe and Nagasaki.
In China-German at Harbin and
Dalny. Manchuria and Kwantung pro-
vinces.
In Turkey-British at Smyrna, Bel
rut. Alexandretta, Aleppo. Damascus
and British and Greek in Tripoli.
In Portugal-German and Austrian
at Lourenco Marquis.
In Persia-German at Tabriz.
In United Kingdom and possessions
Turkish, German. Austrian; Swiss at
Bombay, Singapore and Johannesburg