368 IN THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE-XXV 



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 outly 

 ing parts of the world as Turkey and China, the promo 

 tion of American commercial and other interests, and the 

 securing of information which has been precious to in 

 numerable 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 mani 

 fold 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 cap 

 ital 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 de 

 parture 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 im 

 proved, and diplomatic posts would be no longer so oner 

 ous 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 represen 

 tatives 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 represen 

 tative 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 



