Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-15
FOREIGN SERVICE
HELD NON-PAR1|SAN
Grew Tells Students Many
Posts Cannot Be Filled by
Career Men, However.

Describing the American Foreign
Service as a "non-partisan, non-polit-
ical organiZa ton" from which APP
pointments were being made In IN
creasing volume to important diplo-
matte posts abroad, and to positions
of responsibility in the State Depart
ment itself, Undersecretary Joseph {.
Grew of the State Department last
night predicted that the standards of
the service would be still further i'm
proved, both on account of practical
national interests" and the prestige
of our country"
1.-THE most earnest proponent of
the service" said the undersecretary
speaking at the Graduate School of
American University last night, will
never contend that all of our higher
diplomatic positions abroad should be
filled from the service ranks. 1t Is
recognized that the interest of the
country can often best be served by
the appointment of distinguished
Americans from other walks of lie.
supported as they are by trained
staffs. But where service men who
have demonstrated the necessary
qualities :n.d personal fitness and offl-
cial ability are available, the coun-
to positions where their long train
ing and experience can be turned to
practical account. Any other system
is uneconomical, wasteful, illogical
and deadening to initiative, energy
or enthusiasm.
AZ Per Cent Career Men.
"At present, of So Ambassadors and
Ministers, only %, or AZ per cent: are
10
ever. that both Secretary Hughes ana
Secretary Kellogg have found 1t ad-
yantageous to surround themselves In
the Department of State in large
measure with men of long experience
and training in the foreign field. and
that of II new appointments 10 the
position of Ambassador and Minister
during the administration of the State
Department by Secretary Kellogg, IL
have been service men,"
Declaring that "our Government has
from time to time been charged with
economic or financial imperialism,
the Undersecretary of State asked:
Need 1 say that such charge Is
baseless? Such policy or measures
taken in line with such policy would
be in disaccord with the fundamental
principles of the American Govern
ment.
mo such policy could receive the
approval or support of our Govern
ment agencies. The Government will
furnish and safeguard fair and equal
opportunity for American enterprise
and investment abroad, but 1t Will not
undertake to sponsor private interests
or urge them to engage in special
enterprises in designated countries. 1t
will hold the door open, but 1t will not
force or urge American interests to
cross the portal"
Cites Harmony of Departments.
The economic policy of this Gov
eminent abroad, Mr.. Grew character
lied as .'the policy OF the open door
On the basis Of this principle, he said
1t was the "aim on the part of our
Government to assist and promote
legitimate American enterprise abroad
by creating conditions Of equality of
opportunity, under which bona fide
American business may be carried on
to the advantage of the Americans
concerned and of the persons with
whom they deal and by seeking to
preserve and safeguard legitimate
American rights duly acquired in con-
nection with the operation Of that
business"
Explaining the method of co-opera-
ton between the Departments of
State and Commerce in the gathering
of information abroad for the promo
ton of commerce. Mr.. Grew said har-
mony existed between the depart
mental representatives in the field.
This harmony" he said, was
achieved by the efforts of the field
representatives themselves, and was
consummated by the Presidents ex-
ecutive order providing that whenever
representatives of the Department of
State and of other departments are
located In the same capital abroad
they shall meet at least once fort
nightly for a free exchange of infor-
nation in order to avoid duplication
of effort.
Seeks Further Cooperation.
"If there Is any way in which this
good feeling can be further soliditied,
we shall bend every endeavor to find
1T and put it into effect. / doubt IL
the business man realizes that the
Department of State maintains so
diplomatic missions and 800 consular
establishments, with some 5000 per-
sons attached thereto, located in all
the important commercial canters in
every country, and that these offices
are continually turning in valuable
commercial information, which is dis
seminated to the country by the De-
partment of Commerce, the depart
ment charged by law with such dis
semination. The contribution OF the
agencies Of the Department of State
TO this fund of information is a large
one"
Perhaps the most important func-
ton OF the Department Of State and
the foreign service" said Mr. Grew.
sis to carry on the machinery of inter
national relationship and to safeguard
national interests in such a way that
difficulties will not arise which may
develop into controversies requiring
special machinery for settlement.
either peaceful or otherwise
The speaker was introduced by DR..
Edward T. Devine, dean Of the gradu-
ate school.