The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-07-02
COST OF LIVING MAY
AFFECT SERVICE
REPORT URGES INCREASED APP.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE FOR
EIGN MINISTER'S OF THE UNI
TED STATES.


of the United States consular service
is seriously threatened by the increas- {
ed cost Of living in the diplomatic and
consular posts throughout the world, |
and valuable diplomatic and consular
officers may be obliged to resign If
relief is not extended, according to i
the foreign relations committee of |
the National Foreign Trade Council, |
which made public today report
which will be submitted to congress,
urging appropriations to enable the
president to offset the higher cost of |
living in the lower-paid diplomatic |
and consular posts. The report de-
clares that this was a necessity Of
American preparedness for keener
competition in world commerce after
the war. The report urges the pur-
chase of buildings for the United
States consulate and other govern
ment Offices at Shanghai, a legation
busting at Panama and the "Amer-
icanization"a of the consular service.
'The diplomatic and consular serv-
ices are hand-maidens Of foreign
trade" says the report. met only
have they safeguarded, under normal
conditions, an unprecedented export
and large import comermce, but in
twenty-six separate instances are
caring for interests in enemy coun-
tries. Treaty restoration will deter
mine the future commercial policies
of Europe. Our diplomats and con-
suls should have greater facilities for
anticipation and analysis of new COM
mercial policies Of the great powers
and their colonies. An American min
lister discharging his functions from
poorly located rented quarters is not
an impressive unit in wosld diplo-
macy. Many consuls are now chaiped
to clerical drudgery who should be
given time to cultivate important
sources Of information.
'"The pending bill provides for an
increase Of 81, 421, 1855, but this will
{ be mora than offset by revenue from
fees collected by the consular serv-
Ice abroad. This service is practical
Y self-sustaining, record seldom
net In governmnt, and the envy of
ther nations. It is not unusual to
md British and German economic re-
avs and newspapers exhorting their
ernments to adopt some Of the
;essful features Of the American
Bystem.
High Living Cost.
The cost Of LIKING at diplomatic and
consular posts throughout the world,
according to the report, has increased
from Is TO 1913 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 resign If relief is not extended"
Post allowances are recommended
as q permanent method Of equalizing
abnormal increase Of living costs at
low-paid posts, but general revision
upward Of American consular sal
aries hitter the European war is rec
commended with the declaration that
the character Of American consular
duties ranks with far better paid
work at home. The government is
urged to pay the cost of the trans
portation of consular and diplomatic
officers, their families and household
effects, and enable those who have
no private means to avoid herazsing
personal Indebtedness. The report
adds:
'SThe average American at home
does not realize that in many parts
of the world the American consul is
sometimes the only, and most inpor-
tant native-born resident Where his
salary Is less than $1,000 or $4,000
and he has no private means, and
does possess family, his lot is diff
cult. Surrounded by consular col
leagues who are better paid, or are
drawn from moneyed class, and who
are frequently well-housed by thei,
governments, the American consul is
hard put creditably to uphold the dig
nitySbf his government and maintain
his personal pride. That both are
sometimes done is tribute to the
personality, frugality and ingenuity
of these officials, but often the task
is impossible and American prestige
suffers"
Representation in China.
Without taking up the entire quee-
ton of government-owned embassies
legations and consulates, the report
declares that for many years the only
outward and visible sign of American
authority at Shanghai, the greatest
port OF China, was flag over the
shabby buildings occupied by the con
sulate general, postofice, jail, public
health hospital and federal court
where the United States exercises ex
ira territorial jurisdiction over it.
nationals. The state department hal
\ recommended the purchase and i'm
RraE ement, for $355,000, of the dig
ID buildings now rented for Uni
a States authorities, but the hous,
gof representatives approved the ap
preparation of only S150,000, which in
validates the proposition, since tn
buildings can be purchased only G