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millions。
General Woodford； our recent minister at Madrid； undoubtedly
delayed our war with Spain for several months； and skilful
diplomatic intervention brought that war to a speedy close just
as soon as our military and naval successes made it possible。
The cases are also many where our diplomatic representatives have
quieted ill feelings which would have done great harm to our
commerce。 These facts show that the diplomatic service may well
be called 〃The Cheap Defense of Nations。〃
When； in addition to this； an American recalls such priceless
services to civilization； and to the commerce of our country and
of the world； as those rendered by Mr。 Townsend Harris while
American minister in Japan； the undoubted saving through a long
series of years of many lives and much property by our ministers
in such outlying parts of the world as Turkey and China； the
promotion of American commercial and other interests； and the
securing of information which has been precious to innumerable
American enterprises； it seems incontestable that our diplomatic
service ought not to be left in its present slipshod condition。
It ought to be put on the best and most effective footing
possible； so that everywhere the men we send forth to support and
advance the manifold interests of our country shall be thoroughly
well equipped and provided for。 To this end the permanent
possession of a suitable house or apartment in every capital is
the foremost and most elementary of necessities。
And while such a provision is the first thing； it would be wise
to add； as other nations do； a moderate allowance for furniture；
and for keeping the embassy or legation properly cared for during
the interim between the departure of one representative and the
arrival of another。
If this were done； the prestige of the American name and the
effectiveness of the service would be vastly improved； and
diplomatic posts would be no longer so onerous and； indeed；
ruinous as they have been to some of the best men we have sent
abroad。
And in order fully to free my mind I will add that； while the
provision for a proper embassy or legation building is the first
of all things necessary； it might also be well to increase
somewhat the salaries of our representatives abroad。 These may
seem large even at present； but the cost of living has greatly
increased since they were fixed； and the special financial
demands upon an ambassador or minister at any of the most
important posts are always far beyond the present salary。 It is
utterly impossible for an American diplomatic representative to
do his duty upon the salary now given； even while living on the
most moderate scale known in the diplomatic corps。 To attempt to
do so would deprive him of all opportunity to exercise that
friendly； personal； social influence which is so important an
element in his success。
To sum up my suggestions as to this part of the subject； I should
say： First； that； as a rule； there should be provided at each
diplomatic post where the United States has a representative a
spacious and suitable house； either bought by our government or
taken on a long lease； and that there should be a small
appropriation each year for maintaining it as regards furniture；
care； etc。 Secondly； that American representatives of the highest
gradenamely； ambassadorsshould have a salary of at least
25；000 a year； and that diplomatic representatives of lower
grade should have their salaries raised in the same proportion。
Thirdly； that an additional number of secretaries and attaches
should be provided in the manner and for the reasons above
recommended。
If the carrying out of these reforms should require an
appropriation to the diplomatic service fifty per cent。 higher
than it now is；which is an amount greater than would really be
required by all the expenditures I propose； including interest
upon the purchase money of appropriate quarters for our
representatives abroad；the total additional cost to each
citizen of the United States would be less than half a cent each
year。
The first result of these and other reforms which I have
indicated； beginning with what is of the very first
importance；provision for a proper house or apartment in every
capital；would certainly be increased respect for the United
States and increased effectiveness of its foreign
representatives。
As to the other reforms； such as suitable requirements for
secretaryships； and proper promotion throughout the whole
service； they would vastly increase its attractiveness； in all
its grades； to the very men whom the country most needs。 They
would open to young men in our universities and colleges a most
honorable career； leading such institutions to establish courses
of instruction with reference to such a servicecourses which
were established long since in Germany； but which have arrived
nearest perfection in two of our sister republicsat the
University of Zurich in Switzerland； and in the ecole Libre des
Sciences Politiques in Paris。
It seems certain that a diplomatic service established and
maintained in the manner here indicated would not only vastly
increase the prestige and influence of the United States among
her sister nations； but； purely from a commercial point of view；
would amply repay us。 To have in diplomatic positions at the
various capitals men thoroughly well fitted not only as regards
character and intellect； but also as regards experience and
acquaintance； and to have them so provided for as to become the
social equals of their colleagues； would be； from every point of
view； of the greatest advantage to our country materially and
politically； and would give strength to our policy throughout the
world。
And； finally； to a matter worth mentioning only because it has at
sundry times and in divers manners been comically argued and
curiously misrepresentedthe question as to a diplomatic
uniform。
As regards any principle involved； I have never been able to see
any reason； a priori； why； if we have a uniform for our military
service and another for our naval service； we may not have one
for our diplomatic service。 It has； indeed； been asserted by
sundry orators dear to the galleries； as well as by various
〃funny…column〃 men； that such a uniform is that of a lackey； but
this assertion loses force when one reflects on the solemn fact
that 〃plain evening dress；〃 which these partizans of Jeffersonian
simplici