The daily Alaskan., 1916-12-26
A CONSUL'S DUTIES
They Are Highly Important From
 a Commercial Viewpoint.
HIS WORK IS ALL FOR TRADE.

Tn All Lines or BuStnessI anu "HSN
 Be Ever Alert and Tactful,
 If the United States were so great that it could be entirely independent of the rest of the world it would need no diplomatic or consular service, but no country in the world is so great as that.
 The diplomatic representative must concern himself very largely with po- litical matters, must be in constant communication with the leading states men and with the court-f there Is one-in the country to which he is ac- credited; he must give dinners and parties and mingle in what is called society" but he Is useless if only ornamental.
 The consul is expected to occupy himself with all commercial matters, to guard jealously the shipping inter- ests of his country and to report ex- haustively to his government on con- ditions of trade as far as they affect the interests of his country. He does not have to spend so much money for social entertainments as his colleagues in the diplomatic service or worry 50 much about the irksome details of pre- cedence and etiquette. Except on very rare occasions he does not go to court.
 The consular service of the United States is growing in importance and efficiency every year. Commercinl questions between nations are the causes very often of difficulties that the diplomatic representative must try to settle, but the foundation of the practical side of our diplomacy rests on the consuls. On their experience and alertness depend our trade Oppor- tunities.
 The consul deals in q business way with business people, and he must learn their methods of managing af- fairs. There are young men who look on experience in American cOnsulates as the best possible preparation for active business at home But, as rue, luOSt W uO SALCL tAG puD'AS WI ice in foreign countries ought to make 1t their life work, especially as our government has taken the wise course of making it a career and not a re- ward for political loyalty.
 A consul may live as quietly as he pleases; he is not expected to entertain either visiting Americans or the people of the country in which his post ts The reports that he must make often interest him greatly; his advancement now depends on his efficiency. He must have tact, and he must be able to adapt himself to new conditions. He should not overlook any chance to further the interests of his country, but our government does not expect its representatives to be utterly selfish, and usually the consul finds that he does best when he helps toward the progress of both countries.
 The examinations for cOnsulships are held at certain intervals in the state department at Washington. A candi- date can obtain examples of examina- ton questions which will show him very plainly the subjects that he must master. If, while at school or college, he determines to enter the consular service he can acquire the necessary information from the state department and mold his studies in accordance with the object in view.
 The state department is always in need of serious minded men for serV- ice abroad, and. in spite of the seem- ing necessity of political influence, a man of merit and perseverance is sure to get his opportunity to enter the service. He may have to begin, to be sure, in some desolate place in Arabia or in some unwholesome spot in China, but when he has proved his efficiency the department of state will give him the proper promotion.
 4 man who enters the foreign service must reconcile himself to leaving his American surroundings. He is entitled to leave of absence, with permission to visit the United States, probably ev- cry second year. But of course the trip home means expense. He must adapt himseu to the ways Of q new country and show himself sympathetic, firm, alert and tolerant. and he must often learn a new language. The sal aries in the consular service begin st S2,OO0 and end at $12,O00.
 The usual objection that the positions of neither secretaries of legation nor consuls are permanent does not hold under the law as it is now. Since the reorganization of 1906 no man has teen dropped from either service for political reasons.
 The foreign service of the United States offers great opportunities to the right man and also many chances for patriotic self sacrifice. AS in all other vacations of life, a man ought to have a special inclination for it and de- vouring desire to make himself as fit as possible for the work. There Is no doubt that it will become, as the years go by, more and more worthy of the consideration of earnest, energetic and we'll educated Americans.-Hon Mau- rice F. Egan in Youths Companion.