Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-25
United States Diplomatic and
Consular Posts Menaced
by Expenses.
REPORT OF THE NATIONAL
FOREIGN TRADE COUNCIL
Will Be Submitted to Congress
Urging Appropriations 10 Remedy
the Situation.

The efficiency of she United States
consular service is seriously threatened
by the increased cost of living in the
diplomatic and consular posts through
out the world. and valuable diplomatic
and consular officers may be obliged
to resign if relief is not extended, ac-
cordIng to the foreign relations COM
mittee of the National Foreign Trade
Council which made public today re-
port which will be submitted to Con-
gress 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 COM
petition in world commerce after the
war. The report urges the purchase
of buildings for the United States con-
sulate and other government oflces at
Shanghai. a legation building at ran
Anna and the characterization OF the
consular service.
THE Diplomatic and consular services
hre handmaidens of foreign trade, says
the report. Not only have they SAFE
guarded, under normal conditions, an
unprecedented export ana a iaIse M
bort commerce, but in twenty-six sep
krate instances are caring for interests
In enemy countries. Treaty restoration
will determine the FUTURE commercial
policies of Europe Our diplomats anu
consuis should have greater faciiites
for anticipation and analysts OF ne"
commercial policies OF the great powers
and their colonies. An American MN
lister discharging his 1uhctlohs iio
poorly located rented quarters Is MOI
an impressive unit i'll world dlplomac!-
Many consuls are now chained 10 ciet
icaI drudgery who should be given t.n'e
TO cultivate important sources OF iniof-
nation :.
"The pending bill provides for an m
crease of s1421.966. but this VIII De
more than offset by revenue from Is
collected by the consular ser
abroad This service is practicaliy
seif-sustaining a record seldom met IN
government and the envy OF otner ma
lions. IT l. not unusual 10 hiu piitisn
and German economic reviews az"
newspapers exhorting their govern,
merits to adopt some of the successfui
features of the American system.
May Force designations.
The cost of living al diplomatic ana
consular posts throughout the world
according to the report, has Increases
from Is to 1928 per cent. and. since the
ma iority of consular and secretarlai
diplomatic salaries are below s3'ooo,
the council says: The situation is So
3eriOuS that NdludDlc anu
consular officers may be obliged to re-
sign if relief is not extended
Post allowances are recommended as
a permanent method of equalizing ab-
normal increase of living costs at low
paid posts, but a general revision up
ward of American consular salaries
after the European war is recommend
ed with the declaration that the CHAR
acter of American consular duties
ranks with far better paid work at
home The government is urged 10 pay
the cost of the transportation OF CON
suiar and diplomatic officers. their
families and household effects. and en-
able those who have no private means
to Avoid harassing personal indeDt-
edness The report adds:
The average American at nome ooes
not realize that in many parts OF the
world the American consul is some
times the only and most important ma
fiye-born resident. When his salary
is less than $4,000 or $4,000 and he has
no priyate means and does possess
family, his lot is difficult. Surrounded
BY consular colleagues who are better
paid. or are drawn from money class.
and who are frequently we'll housed by
their governments. the American con-
suI is hard put creditably to uphold
the dignity of 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
tmpossible and American prestige SUI
fers.