FOREWORD In the new era that begins with the end of the World War, the diplomatic and consular service of the United States should assume an enormously increased burden of responsibility. Our relations with the other nations and peoples of the world have at last become a matter of immediate concern to almost every citizen. The representatives whom we send abroad have it largely in their power to determine whether America should be welcomed or shunned in other lands, and whether our trade and commerce shall increase or decrease. It is not necessary, then, to enlarge on the importance of the subject to which this report is devoted. It is believed that the Committee on Foreign Service of the National Civil Service Reform League has brought together in these pages a mass of facts and a reasoned discussion of these facts, such as has not before been attempted. Out of this discussion emerge certain specific conclusions which point straight to the necessity for legislative action if our foreign service is to meet its new responsibilities. Among the recommendations submitted by the Committee, four points of special importance stand out as in need of immediate legislative attention. 1. The improvement of the entrance examination for the foreign service and the placing of them more strictly upon a merit basis; 2. The purchase of embassies, legations and consulates; 3. An increase in salary schedules in all branches of the foreign service; 4. The extension of the merit system of promotion to the selection of ministers. The Executive Committee of the League has approved this report and ordered it printed and distributed in the belief that it forms the foundation of fact on which the needed legislation may be based. (Signed) RICHARD H. DANA, President. THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE FOREIGN SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES Report of the Special Committee of the NATIONAL CIVIL SERVICE REFORM LEAGUE, April 10, 1919. The importance of our foreign service for the general welfare of the whole country can hardly be overestimated. In all parts of the world our foreign representatives have demonstrated how necessary is their ministry to protect the lives and property of American citizens. In the period upon which we are about to enter the allied nations must perforce seek a greater extension of foreign trade to meet the burdensome taxes levied to overcome Germany, and we look to our foreign representatives as the vanguard in this work of trade expansion. Hereafter, the extension of commerce will depend very greatly upon the close co-operation of the Government with the individual. Already Congress has provided appropriations to furnish credits in financing our foreign trade. This means the placing of a still greater responsibility upon our representatives. The Webb Act authorizes a combination of the smaller merchants to enter the foreign field in competition with the great international corporations. These firms will doubtless appoint commercial representatives who will co-operate with our consuls and diplomats. In short, the business interests of the whole country will demand the very highest grade of efficiency for both branches of our foreign service. The problem of humanity is to avoid all useless wars, and the delegates of the nations assembled at Versailles with this end in view have been elaborating the plan of a world League. We shall all hope that it may fulfill its great mission. Nevertheless, it is well to remember that, in the first instance, diplomats and consuls are the agents who have for their primary and highest function the preservation of peace. They are quick to report every little ripple of irritation caused by the unintelligent application of national regulations and policies. They recommend acts of conciliation; they foresee the rising storm of international jealousy; often in time to avert it. The diplomat is by nature a man of peace, and the members of the foreign service will ever remain the great instruments to foresee and to forestall the outbreak of international controversy. This is the moment to strengthen them in their work of peace making, and they can only be strengthened by a feeling of national support in the carrying out of their mission. It is essential that the agents selected be of the highest capacity obtainable in the whole country. In the past we have sometimes been too ready to leave these important matters to the care of ne'er-do-wells, while our ablest young men entered law and railroad offices. In fairness to the members of our foreign service, we should recall many instances where the office has been filled with distinction, and in general it may be said in regard to that part of our foreign service placed under the merit principle that it compares favorably with the service of other countries. On the other hand, the personnel of the remnants of the service to which the old Jacksonian principle-"To the victor belongs the spoils" is still applied, is weaker than that of other countries. The National Civil Service Reform League |