Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-06-25
HIGH LIVING COST
At FOREIGN POSTS
Efficiency of United States Con.
sular Service Seriously
Threatened.
RELIEF URGENTLY NEEDED
National Foreign Trade Council
Prepares Report to Submit
to Congress.
RELIEF URGENTLY NEEDED

ncicnCy of the United states consular /,
service is seriously threatened by the
Increased cost Of living in the diplo-
matte and consular posts throughout
the world and valuable diplomatic and
consular officers may he Obliged to re-
sign If relief is not extended. according
TO tho foreign relations committee Of
tho National Foreign Trade Council,
which made public to-day report
which will he submitted TO Congress.
urging appropriations TO enable the
President TO Offset tho higher cost of
living in the lower paid diplomatic and !
consular posts. The report declares
that this was n necessity of Aneri-
can preparedness for keener competi-
ton in world commerce after the war.
The report urges the purchase of
buildings for the United States con.
sulate and other government offices at
Shanghai. n legation building at Pam
anna. and the characterization" of the
consular service.
The diplomatic and consular ser.
vices are handmaidens of foreign
trade" says the report. Not only have
they safeguarded. under normal condi-
tons. an unprecedented export and a
large import commerce. hut in twenty
six separate instances are caring for
interests in enemy countries. Treaty
restoration will determine the future
commercial policies of Europe Our
diplomats and consuls should have
greater facilities for anticipation and
analysis OF new commercial policies Of
the great powers and their colonies
an American minister discharging his
functions from poorly located rented
quarters is not an Impressive unit In
world diplomacy. Many consuls are
chained clerical
should be given time to cultivate i'm
portant sources fNnformation.
The pending bill provides for an
Increase OF Sl.icl,966, but this will be
more than offset by revenue from fees
collected by the consular service
abroad This service is practicable
self-sustaining. record seldom met In
government. and the envy OF other ma
tons. 1t is not unusual TO find British
and German economic reviews and
newspapers cXhorting their govern
mentS TO adopt some of the successful
features of the American system"
The cost of living at diplomatic and
consular posts throughout the world,
according TO the report has increased
from 10 TO l2S per cent. and since the
majority of consular and secretarial
diplomatic salaries are below $4,000.
the council says: The situation is so
serious that valuable diplomatic and
consular officers may be obliged to re-
sign if relief is not extended"
GENERAL REVISION UPWARD
OF SALARIES RECOMMENDED
Post allowances are recommended as
"a permanent method OF euualizing alb.
normal increase of living costs at low
raid posts. but general revision up-
warq OF American consular salaries
after the European war is recon-.
mendcd with the declaration that the
character of American consular duties
ranks with far better paid work at
nome The government is urged to.
pay the cost of the transportation of
consular and diplomatic officers. their
families and household effects. and
enable those who have no nrivata
means to avoid harassing personal in.
dchtedncss The report adds:
The average American at home does
not realize that in many parts Of the
world the American consul is soma
times the only and most important
natiNe-born resident. Where his salary
is less than $4,000 or $4,000 and he has
no private means. and does possess a
family, his lot is difficult Surrounded
o' consular colleagues who are better
PAID or are drawn from the moneyed
''"'S' ''h" WI" are frequently we'll
housed by their governments the
American consul is hard put creditably
to uphold tho dignity of his governs
mcnt and maintain his persooaI nr,da
/ Ihat both are sometimes done Is a
trihutr to tho personality. frugality
ana ingenuity OF these officials. but
often the task is impossible and Ameri-
can prestige suffers"
without taking up the entire uues-
t"n OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT cmha ssies,
legations and conSulates, the report
declares that for many years the only
outward aud visible sign of American
authority at Shanghai the greatest
port or China, was flag over the
shabby buildings occupied by the con-
Sn'at"-eeneral post office. Jail. public
h"al'h hospital ana Federal court.
Where the United states exercises ex-
ira territorial Jurisdiction over It's ma
tonais. The state Department has
recommended tho purchase and inn
rroNemeat. for $355,000. of tho disni-
ned buildings now rented for United
states authorities. but the House of
Representatives. approved the appro-
priatou OF only Sl50,O00, which in
val!dates the proposition since the
buildings can be purchased only as a
group. and the lease expires on July
-. this year. and cannot he renewed,
I'm which event" declares the COM
miticr o: the National Foreign Trade
Council. the consular and other of
ilc"rS Wi! be forced again to move to
quarters so inferior TO those OF similar
representatives OF other great powers
rs TO menace, American prestige in the
Far East AZ time when monu-
menta! public buildings are being
erected throughout the United States
and a s2o,oOo00o public building bill
is contemplated by Congress, the inns
por,anc" of providrs "A disnified habf-
tation for the government which enun-s
ciated the principle OF the open door,
and stood Tor the integrity OF tho
Chinese empire. should require no FUR
Their argument"
The Senate and House are asked TO
appropriate 100000 recommended by
CONTINUED on Tenth Paga)