The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1916-10-25
ACONSUL'S DUTIES
They Are Highly important From
a Commercial Viewpoint.
HIS WORK is ALL FOR TRADE.

Hs Must Guard Zealously the Interests
Of Our Land In Shipping Matters and
In All Lines of Business, and Must
30 Ever Alert and Taetful.
II 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-if there Is
ene-in the country to which he Is ac-
credited; he must give dinners ana
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 jealousy 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 80
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. Commercial
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-
tunites. -
The consul deals in 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 a
rule, those who enter the public serv-
ice in foreign countries ought to make
Il 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 pest is.
The reports that he must make often
interest him greatly; his advancement
now depends on bis efficiency. He
must have tact, and be 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 tho 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. q
man Of merit and perseverance Is sure
to get his opportunity to enter the
service. Hs 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 bis efficiency
tho department Of state will give him
the proper promotion.
A 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 himself to the ways Of new
country and show himself sympathetic,
firm, alert and tolerant, and he must
often learn new language. The sal
aries in the consular service begin at
5000 and end at $4,000.
The usual objection that the positions
Of neither secretaries Of legation nor
consuls are permanent does not hold
under the law as 1t Is now: Since the
reorganization Of 1905 no man has
been 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
vocations OF life, man ought to have
q special inclination, for it and de-
vouring desire to make himself as fit
as possible for the work. There Is no