Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-06-25
ACTIVITIES OF OUR FOREIGN
SERVICE

SERVICE
Far from being an aggregation
OF pink tea fighters" as termed
by n Democratic representative In
Congress. the American diplomatic
officers are proving themselves to
be faithful public servants. engaged
in work the importance OF which is
little realized. and In cores
pondence from Washington. D. c.,
comes an array OF facts and figures
to show how extremely useful are
these foreign service officers In
furthering the American interests
OF every nature abroad.
To cite Just a few examples: One
OF our legations secured the ex-
emption OF about $4,000, 900 Of
funds belonging to American citi-
Gems from the consequences OF a
forced loan. where said funds were
about to be sequestered. One OF
the embassies assisted in arrang-
ing that certain mail between North
and South America should be car
ried by American vessels from the
eastern coast of the United States
through the Caribbean Sea and the
Canal. and down the west coast OF
South America. Another lega-
ton secured an important conces-
sion In arranging that one visa on
passport be considered valid for
any number OF trips to and from
that country during the year. thus
saving thousands Of dollars an
nually for American business men
by eliminating the charge Of $40
for each VISA
The legation at Vienna secured
the release OF bank deposits Of an
American concern in Viennese
bank. which had been seauestered.
A legation secured the reduction OF
tariff rates on certain American
goods. preventing the application of
retroactive clauses to those goods.
Another one secured a reduction in
the duties on packing for American
automobiles; still another secured
payment to a large company OF
S3'ooo'oOo for merchandise it had
delivered. A change in customs
classification secured by one en-
hassy. resulted in the reduction OF
the duty on American furniture
from the basis of $3.50 to 30 cents.
As foe Che consular branch: an
Americau consul in Japan inter
osted parties in the purchase Of 50
gasoline engines on the basis of a
minimum Of 500 engines yearly
thereafter One in Manchuria as
sisted IN securing not only the
contract for the building OF rail-
ways but also the contract for the
erection OF an electric power plant.
consul in Germany interviewed to
secure permit for export by Amer
lean firms aggregating some So
100000. A consul in China aided
in securing contract for an
American engineering firm involv-
ing an expenditure of s4:5,ooo. The
Consul General at Melbourne ar
ranged for the sale OF so American
motorcycles in one month. The
consul general at Paris secured an
agreement to eliminate the French
duty on personal effects. A con-
sui in Spain assisted in obtaining
an order for an American electrical
company Of 100000. These are all
recent activities. and the list could
be extended until II became tire
some to read.
As an example OF other consula,
activities. during 1923 our consul
handled over $4,000 protection and
welfare cases: over 1000 estates of
Americans dying abroad: issued
$500 disinfection certificates: made
over $4,000 sanitary reports and
$1,000 trade reports: handled so7,-
600 consular invoices; received
soS,ooo letters. and sent 100000;
and collected nearly 100000 In
fees, or more than the cost of up
keep Of the entire diplomatic and
consular establishments.
Today we maintain diplomatic
missions In 81 countries. the person
mel. including ambassadors, min
listers. secretaries. and clerks being
e2s; and consular ofices In 40
cities of 81 countries. the personnel,
including consuls general. consuls.
vice consuls. and clerks, being
2.slS. About 600 man the State
Department proper. % that roughly
1000 carry ON the foreign affairs Of
the United States. wonderful
work. exceptionally well performed
at an expense ridiculousiy small all
things considered.