The Utility of a Trained and Permanent Foreign Service The above telegram, the first the Department of State has received from any American official in Russia since the dark days when our relations with that country were severed, explains itself. …Few Americans realize the immense value of these officers in maintaining peace. The mission of these men is to promote the international understanding which leads to confidence and friendship and permits nations, however different their traditions and ideals may be, to deal intelligently with each other. The members of the Foreign Service of the United States have, for many years, acted as American outposts of peace in all parts of the world. –Wilbur Carr, assistant secretary of State FSJ October 1930Īmerican Foreign Service as an Instrument of World Peace A young officer just entering the Service will find that he is offered a course of invaluable instruction before entering upon his permanent duties, but that at the same time he will be on probation and his every act and qualification open to the severest scrutiny with respect to his personal fitness. All the vulnerable features of the old regime have been replaced by solid barriers against meddling and uncertainty. The stability of the career and the permanence of its personnel have been assured. …Each one of us was asked but one question. … The questions were matters of national and international interest … and above all were designed to show the general ability of a man to say a few words about any subject under the sun. “Twelve-twenty-one, what do you understand the War Finance Corporation to be?” And so on. “Can’t you tell me something about the northern boundary?” Another heartbreaking silence. “I don’t think I can say, sir”-this in a very small voice. “Twelve-twenty, can you tell me any of the changes wrought in Italy by the Treaty of Versailles?” …We all sat very rigid until the candidate addressed piped up. The Way In: A Recent Recruit in the Consular Ranks Tells of the Rough and Rugged Road to Entry All representatives or agents of the United States Government abroad to be under the Department of State and merged with the diplomatic mission in the country of their functioning.Ī New Name: The American Foreign Service Journal Age and disability retirement contributory pension system. Post allowances for Foreign Service officers of all grades. “Representation allowances” for Ambassadors and Ministers. Appointment of “Foreign Service pupils.” Cumulative leave and payment of travel expenses on home leave under certain conditions. … Immediately upon the meeting of Congress in special session, April 11th, Representative John Jacob Rogers of Massachusetts introduced a bill (H.R.17) “for the reorganization and improvement of the Foreign Service of the United States, and for other purposes.” The chief features of the bill … are these: Diplomatic and Consular Services combined in a “Foreign Service of the United States.” Appointment of Ministers to grades and classes, and not to posts. This, the first printed bulletin of the American Consular Association, is the result of a feeling on the part of many consular officers that there should be some organ by which information of interest to the Service might be disseminated- an organ which would provide a medium for the exchange of ideas looking to the improvement of the service as well as news of the activities of particular officers. American Consular Association News: Foreword
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