Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1921-05-21

IMAM ANY Otner department.
When Charles Evans Hughes became
secretary of state and herewith pre-
/ mier" OF President Ilarding's cabinet,
he assumed responsibilities and duties
second only 10 those of the President,
says the New York Times.
The cardinal function OF the State
department. the conduct of the foreign
relations of the United States, consti-
tutcs merely part OF the operations
of the department. Working always at
full pressure, though this IS seldom APP
parent to the casual observer. short
handed In its personnel because Of the
refusal of congress TO provide funds
for the requisite number of higher on
clals and clerks, the State department
has the record of quietly and smoothly
meeting whatever extraordinary de-
mands have fallen upon II In addition
to the daily burden.
Within its province fall the conduct
of negotiations with foreign govern
ments. the protection OF every Ameri-
can citizen and the safeguarding OF
American property and trad" interests
in other lands More and more has It's
diplomacy been interviewer with the
welfare of American business and com
mercial prosperity. Some of the most
involved fiscal and economic problems
the world has ever known are among
those confronting Secretary Hughes.
And the subjects Of his daily anxiety
include the attitude OF the United
States toward the League of Nations,
( the question Of the open door and
equality of opportunity in five conu-
ncnts the handling Of the mandate
problems and the freedom Of communi-
cations by cable and wireless around
the world.
Aside from the major problems the
department must look after II bewllder-
ing mass Of miscellaneous detail. II
must care for the interests Of the
American sailor who misses his ship in
foreign port. for the welfare OF the
elderly lady who has lost her letter Of
credit. for the extension of protection
to an American bank account overtax-
ed by foreign government. for the
case of goods subjected TO dlscriminn-
tory foreign duties. for the retrieving
of American property seized as spells
Of war by some former belicerent in
Europe.
Many and Varied Functions.
In addition the department may be
called upon to offer its services as
mediator between nations large or
small. or be appealed TO as world
power to pass judgment when princi-
pies Of international law are con-
ccrned. particularly in eases involving
infringement of neutral rights. Few
realized the broad functions Of the
State department in the easy-going
days before the World war OF 1911,
and since then these functions have
multiplied manifold. For time world
events crowded so rapidly one upon
another. that it was feared the ma
chinery Of the department would break
down
But its machinery has functioned,
remodcled from time 10 time TO suit
fIidIAllE ANItAllAAOlAN. @tlli HAl Wv tA'AAN
il has kept up its lesser routine. II
acts ms custodian OF the great seal OF
the United States, receives and holds
all the original laws enacted by con-
gress, In addition 10 safeguarding In
Its archives the original texts Of the
Declaration Of Independence. and OF
the Constitution. and of the various
acts OF the Confederation. The state
department also certiiies and publishes
the official texts Of the laws of con-
greSS attests and promulgaieS all
Presidential proclamationS and eXecu-
tive orders, takes care Of the guberna-
torial returns Of all presidential elec-
toral votes. ccrtifcs 10 congress the
results Of such elections and cares for
many valuable original American state
papers and documents. in addition 10
maintaining the most extensive Ameri-
can library on international relations.
After-War Problems.
The duties Of the State department
have not become less since the arms
tlcr. The aftcr-war problems are in
some respects more difficult than were
those Of The period OF belligerency.
The conduct of Americas foreign re-
lationS. under the constitution. rests
with the department
The directing genius of the state de-
partment Sits at u large flat desk In
large room on the south side Of the
second floor of the granite pile known
oS tho Stafr MAR and Navy huildlng
AT Washington. At every hour there
are many calls upon him. He must AT
all times have his fingers on the strings
running into the offices of his four AS
sIs,antS. and thence via the telegraph,
cable and wireless rooms TO the fur
thesi reccSScS of the world.
Under the President, the secretary
81 state represents the sovereign
power OF The United States govern