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Britain is simply a republic with a monarchical figurehead
lingering along on good behavior）： she retains her
representatives in these positions； and promotes them without any
regard to their party relations。 During my first official
residence at Berlin； although the home government at London was
of the Conservative party； it retained at the German capital； as
ambassador； Lord Ampthill； a Liberal； and； as first secretary；
Sir John Walsham； a Tory。 From every point of view； the long
continuance in diplomatic positions of the most capable men would
be of great advantage to our country。
But； as the very first thing to be done； whether our diplomatic
service remains as at present or be improved； I would urge； as a
condition precedent to any thoroughly good service； that there be
in each of the greater capitals of the world at which we have a
representative； a suitable embassy or legation building or
apartment； owned or leased for a term of years by the American
Government Every other great power； and many of the smaller
nations； have provided such quarters for their representatives；
and some years ago President Cleveland recommended to Congress a
similar policy。 Under the present system the head of an American
embassy or mission abroad is at a wretched disadvantage。 In many
capitals he finds it at times impossible to secure a proper
furnished apartment； and； in some； very difficult to find any
suitable apartment at all； whether furnished or unfurnished。 Even
if he finds proper rooms； they are frequently in an unfit quarter
of the town； remote from the residences of his colleagues； from
the public offices； from everybody and everything related to his
work。 His term of office being generally short； he is usually
considered a rather undesirable tenant； and is charged
accordingly。 Besides this； the fitting and furnishing of such an
apartment is a very great burden； both as regards trouble and
expense。 I have twice thus fitted and furnished a large apartment
in Berlin； and in each case this represented an expenditure of
more than the salary for the first year。 Within my own knowledge；
two American ministers abroad have impoverished their families by
expenditures of this kind。 But this is not the worst。 The most
serious result of the existing system concerns our country。 I
have elsewhere shown how； in one very important international
question at St。 Petersburg； our mistaken policy in this respect
once cost the United States a sum which would have forever put
that embassy； and； indeed； many others besides； on the very best
footing。 If an American ambassador is to exercise a really strong
influence for the United States as against other nations he must
be properly provided for as regards his residence and
support；not provided for； indeed； so largely as some
representatives of other nations； for I neither propose nor
desire that the American representative shall imitate the pomp of
certain ambassadors of the greater European powers。 But he ought
to be enabled to live respectably； and to discharge his duties
efficiently。 There should be； in this respect； what Thomas
Jefferson acknowledged in the Declaration of Independence as a
duty；〃a decent regard for the opinions of mankind。〃 The present
condition of things is frequently humiliating。 In the greater
capitals of Europe the general public know the British； French；
Austrian； Italian； and all other important embassies or
legations； except that of our country。 The American embassy or
legation has no settled home； is sometimes in one quarter of the
town； sometimes in another； sometimes almost in an attic；
sometimes almost in a cellar； generally inadequate in its
accommodations； and frequently unfortunate in its surroundings。
Both my official terms at St。 Petersburg showed me that one
secret of the great success of British diplomacy； in all parts of
the world； is that especial pains are taken regarding this point；
and that； consequently； every British embassy is the center of a
wide…spread social influence which counts for very much indeed in
her political influence。 The United States； as perhaps the
wealthiest nation in existence；a nation far…reaching in the
exercise of its foreign policy； with vast and increasing
commercial and other interests throughout the world；should； in
all substantial matters； be equally well provided for。 Take our
recent relations with Turkey。 We have insisted on the payment of
an indemnity for the destruction of American property； and we
have constantly a vast number of Americans of the very best sort；
and especially our missionaries； who have to be protected
throughout the whole of that vast empire。 Each of the other great
powers provides its representative at Constantinople with a
residence honorable； suitable； and within a proper inclosure for
its protection； but the American minister lives anywhere and
everywhere；in such premises； over shops and warehouses； as can
be secured；and he is liable； in case of trouble between the two
nations； to suffer personal violence and to have his house sacked
by a Turkish mob。 No foreign people； and least of all an Oriental
people； can highly respect a diplomatic representative who； by
his surroundings； seems not to be respected by his own people。
The American Government can easily afford the expenditure needed
to provide proper houses or apartments for its entire diplomatic
corps； but it can hardly afford NOT to provide these。 Full
provision for them would not burden any American citizen to the
amount of the half of a Boston biscuit。 Leaving matters in their
present condition is； in the long run； far more costly。 I once
had occasion to consider this matter in the light of economy； and
found that the cost of the whole diplomatic service of the United
States during an entire year was only equal to the expenditure in
one of our recent wars during four hours； so that if any member
of the diplomatic service should delay a declaration of war
merely for the space of a day； he would defray the cost of the
service for about six years。
Mr。 Charles Francis Adams； by his admirable diplomatic dealing
with the British Foreign Office at the crisis of our Civil War；
prevented the coming out of the later Confederate cruisers to
prey upon our commerce； and； in all probability； thus averted a
quarrel with Great Britain which would have lengthened our Civil
War by many years； and doubtless have cost us hundreds of
millions。
General Woodford； our recent minister at Madrid； undoubtedly
delayed our war with