Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-06-22
REFORMING THE CONSULAR SERVICE
ny FREDERIC j. 1iASkIN

WASHINGTON Juno 2l.-With our
foreign relations a leading political
issue, and The American people aroused
TO a consciousness OF their place az a
world power. our diplomatic and con
Sr!ar service is being subjected to a
close scrutiny and ovcrhauling by both
houses OF Congress.
The condition OF the consular ser
vice especially. is tho subject Of a
great deal of discussion in both tho
blouse and the Senate. and II Is ex-
tremely probable that reforms VIII he
enacted into the next diplomatic and
consular appropriation bin which will
make our consular service not only n
more efficient instrument for the pro-
motion OF American business In foreign
countries, but far more attractive
profession 10 the American citizen VINO
wants TO serve his country.
The consular service In the real
pioneer OF foreign tradc--the ma
ch!nery 10y which American business
hnds its way In other lands. The
Observation-Disclosures, ambassadors and
their assistauts--are the personal rep
rescntatiVcs OF the government. in it's
political dealings with foreign coun-
tres They are appointed by the Pres
idcnt and act as his personal repre-
scntatiNcs in the exchange o: mes
Sag"s and the negotiation OF agree
inents. In case Of war, or any other
international disturbance their posi-
lions may be OF the greatest Import
ance: bat they have nothing to do with
commerce. II is the consular BcrvA,c
that discovers new markets for Amer
icnn goods, ana does all In lis power
10 help our business mon reach them.
II is the consul who helps YOU GU.
when lnpa l.,
az" arrested. o. otherwise get into
trouble In foreign country. The du-
ties Of consu!s make "a list about a
foot long, ana upon the success and
thoroUehness with which he attends
10 them depends the welfare OF all
American interests abroad. from
school teacher on pleasure trip TO
100000 contract.
Many Not Americans
Now, with "Amcricanism'' the slogan
OF all political parties. It has been
suddenly brought 10 the attention ~
Congress that large percentage Of
this most important branch OF the ma
tonal service is not American ar all
This is the way OF IL: The principal
grades IN tho consular service are
consulgenerai consul. vice-consul, ana
consular agent. Tho first two OF these
classes are fairly well paid, and N.
filled by American citizens. who are
especially qualified for their positions
The remaining TWO arc very poorly
naid-Dartly In fecs-aud their mourn
b.nts In a large number of cases, are
natives of the countries where they
are located. Furthermore. owing to
the small amount OF money which they
receive. the consular agents are al
lowed 70 engage in trade. In a word
the commercial representative Of the
United states in n South American
town may be, and often is. Il native
merchant instead Of an American rep
rcsontativc OF the state Department.
According 10 figures laid before the
House by Representative John J.
Rogers. Of massachusetts. out OF 2i3
American vice -consUls, foTty-e!ght arc
foreigners, and out of lS9 consular
agents, ninety-seVcn are foreigners.
Needless to say, this is an undesira-
bic state OF affairs a. any time. and
might become especially so in time of
war.
This condition is not confined TO our
consular service. Many nations have
poorly paid positions in the lower
grades OF their representation abroad
which come to be filled by foreigners
because their is no specific prohibition
against so filing them. and because the
remuncra ton is not large enough 10
induce men to go away from home 10
fill the places. 1t was recently stated
before the British Chamber Of Com
mercc. for example, that during the
Keen competition between Eng lanu and
Germany before the war. forty four
British consular positions were filled
with Germans. Now that the two
nations are at war, this condition ap-
pears startling. and will doubtless be
rcmedied
Holland has very imperfect ser
vice abroad. She has 730 representa-
tives in foreign countries. and only
about eighty Of these are paid. Only
about % per cent of her honorary
consus' are Dutchmen, and many OF
them cannot even write the Dutch
language. There is now an active agi-
tation among Dutch commercial bodies
to have this state Of affairs rcmedied
Adequate Service TX Necessary.
Thus it appears that all OF the great
commercial nations are coming to
realize tkat an adequate consular SER
keen competition for world trade. which
is sure to be taken UP with rcdoubicd
energy after the war.
The House OF Representatives has
already taken the first steps toward
tho Characterization" OF our consul
lar service by inserting in the dirlo-
matte and consular appropriation bill!
a provision that none of tho money
appropriated for the salaries of the
service shall he paid to representatives.
who are not Americans, unless this
Is necessary ms n temporary cxpcdient
before the change can he made The
State Department asked for an addi-
tional $25, 600 so that It might send our
and 40 abolish tho fec system. This,
however. has not so far been included
In tho bill.
Tho Investigations OF tho t-onpre,,