The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-21
AMERICAN CONSULS
HAVE MANY DUTIES
Represent Every Home De-
partment in Countries to
Which They Are Assigned.
mot MERE JOB HOLDERS
Complicated Work Requires
Men Of Business Training and
Diplomatic Resources.
ny CLAYTON 8. COOPER.

ny CLAYTON 8. COOPER.
Written especially for the Latin Amert
cun Section Of THE SUN.
Among the men who are serving the
5rited States In foreign lands there are
kw who have the opportunity of WELD
ng greater power or influence on be-
ialt of their country than the consular
representatives.. 1t has been my privi-
eye to know many of these men in
different countries, and on the whole l
lave come to respect them highly, both
or their ideals and the manner in which
hey are striving to attain them, fire.
: luently under arduous and difficult cir
nmstances.
There are few officials of the United
Rates whose complicated work Is less
accurately known by the rank and file
" citizens, and even by world trav-
lllers, than these men who, while exiles
rom their native land, are supposed to
tnow more about that land than the
Ieople at home, in order that they may
translate the spirit and the work OF
heir country into terms Ineligible to
ne foreign nations in which they serve
That our consular service has been sadly
handicapped at times by politicians
United States cannot be denied II,
however. our people and our politicians
would take the time and effort to study
10Th the object and the activities of
hese important representatives from
vhom foreigners, especially in matters
" trade. learn the characteristics of the
United States and the way Of doing bust
less In this republic, the natural trade
expansion OF America would be facili-
tated and the work of the American
consuls would be made easier than il is
to-day.
Increased appreciation and less ignor-
mt criticism of these Government off,
iers would undoubtedly help the service.
but appreciation is born of knowledge
md the average person seems to have
title definite conception of consular
FORK.
suppose for example, the Americans
travelling abroad who received lavors
r from these officers upon whom thsy are
sften largely dependent for Information
ana guidance as well as for protection.
should form the habit of writing to the
state Department as well as to the con-
rul himself, speaking of their apprecia-
non OF many kindnesses proffered; sup.
pose that every American business man
aoing business abroad should take the
position OF certain prominent man of
Affairs In South American city. who
stated that he considered it both un-
ignified and disloyal to his country to
sriticise harshly the representative whom
IFS nation had seen fit to place in a
foreign nation---would not such a course
be the means OF making a better con-
tular service7
Duties of the Consul.
We have heard many people who
have been quite ready to send IN COM
plants, both to the State Department
and to the consuls themselves, IS well
IS to air their supposed grievances con-
corning our service abroad. Is it not
time, and perhaps a peculiarly strategic
time just now, for those who understand
something OF the consular difficulties and
have benefited by consular favors to
make themselves heard?
In the first place there is considerable
misunderstanding as to the fundamental
object with which our American consuls
are sent to foreign nations. Some people
will tell you that they are there to serve
solely the American Colony or the
people who are established in business ;
10 act as legal advisers for these Amer
lean business men in other nations. and
In a general way to take their part
against the legal eXactions OF laws and
customs in the country where they serve,
1t is not always understood that
such is not the main business OF the
American Consul. but that he is pri-
narily the agent OF his Government to
he people of the nation to which he is
ient. He is to foster commercial and
.rade relations between Americans at
,ome and the business people OF alien
countries, and when these relations have
resulted in settlement OF American
, business in these countries much of his
' responsibility to these particular people,
II least, ceases. In other words, the
American Consul is not primarily a po-
iceman or an unpaid legal attache to
any business firm acting abroad. The
sArvice which he renders repeatedly to
mch firms is often a voluntary and
friendly one rather than primarily laid
Town in his instructions.
One can readily realize why this Is
rue when the multifold duties OF the
Consul to the various Government de-
oartments at home are considered
There is, first OF all, the Consul's duty
% the State Department, which involves
numerous and frequent reports. There
are accounts of shipping OF all kinds to
Sc kept port statistics, political and sta
istical reports, registration OF American
citizens. and passports to be vised
There is the Consul's jurisdictlonal work,
sis work OF setting the estates OF per-
IONS dying abroad, together with his pc
.uliarly microscopy offices for the
American colony in countries where there
are extraterritorial rights.
Service to Departments.
There are also duties which the Consul
must perform for the Treasury Depart
nent. These include such services as
transfers of all United States bonds
abroad. the income tax business. demi-
Iraphic statistics to secure and send
very week TO the department and bills
81 health for ships.
The Department of Commerce makes
.arge demands upon the Consul. This
department requires him
/. To legalize all transfer shipping.
2. To survey all protested cargoes and
protested shipments OF merchandise and
damaged ships.
8. To attend TO the discharge and en-
tolment OF every American seaman in
ais port
4. To act as intermediary between
Jhips captains and port authorities.
5. To send American sailors to hos
pitfalls when It Is required. and also to see
10 their burial and to the settlement of
their estates
6. To write regular commercial re-
ports.
7. To settle all disputes between mas.
ters and mariners
The Department OF the Navy also
looks to the Consul as the sole represen-
.ative OF the Bureau OF Hydrography.
and expects him to watch the changes
In lights and signals. &C. The Navy De
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