Evening star., 1921-04-03


United States is a thing of
the past-if it ever existed.
This is true whether the
United States joins the league OF IA
tions or does not. The United States
has become world power-the world
power in fact
The sentiments of the people are
against territorial aggression. But
Americans. like other peoples, are
desirous of spreading their trade.
They have spread it. Before the
world war the volume of exports and
imports of this country amounted to
less than $4,000, 900, ,000-even then a
figure not to be sneeZed at. In the
last year the foreign trade of the
country reached the huge total of
$13, 500, ,000, 900. The United States
today possesses a great merchant
marine, carrying cargoes to every
port of importance. The allied ma
tions are the debtors of the United
States in the sum of $10,000,O0O, 900,
not to mention the huge trade bal
ances- in favor of this country. The
industries of this country have so
expanded that they must have a for
eign outlet.
With these connecting links it is
impossible to reckon the United
States as an isolated power. Eco
nomic causes and policies have more
to do with shaping the worlds his
tory than political activities. This
has always been true. probably. but
it is more readily understood and
more frankly admitted today than
in the past.
The foreign relations of the United
States, in view of the existing situa-
ton. have become of paramount in
terest To enable the country to de-
termine upon it's policies. both eco
nomic and political, it is essential
that the country have full informa-
ton. The only way to obtain such
information is through a thoroughly
efficient and co-ordinated foreign
service.
Need for Reorganization.
The need for reorganization Of the
foreign service is manifest. 1t is
well known to the men of the servcie
themselves, who have for years strug-
gled to better it. That the reorgani-
zation is coming, and soon. is recog-
nized. The State Department-whic
is the department of foreign affairs
has so ar-advanced no stated policy
with regard to reorganization. But it
<4,a%
! with the backing of President Hard
ing, will draft a plan and strongly
urge It upon Congress.
The foreign service of the United
States resembles, to some extent, the
patchwork on an old dwelling, to
which additions and outhouses have
been joined from time to time. 1t is
expected that the structure will be made
coordinate whole-without destroying
the valuable portions now existing.
At the outset, it may be said, the
foreign service should center in the
State Department. That department
corresponds to the ministry of for
eign affairs in other countries. It's
business is to deal with all foreign
affairs This does not mean merely
the political aspects, but the economic
as well. For the political and the
economic are so closely bound togeth-
er today that it would be an impossi-
BILE feat to disassociate them.
Other departments Of the govern
ment, particularly the Department of
Commerce, have great need Of infor-
nation regarding foreign affairs. So
does the Treasury Department. with
huge loans to foreign countries out
standing But because various de-
partments need to obtain information
regarding foreign nations does not
mean that each department should
have a set of agents abroad.
Such plan has led in the past. and,
in the future. will lead. to duplication
of effort and waste of the peoples
money. 1t is to put an end to such
waste that.the reorganization is COM
ing. as well as to make the foreign
service more efficient.
Rogers Reorganization Bills.
xho oct