136 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS [voL. 48 
surroundings, seems to them not 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 cannot afford not to provide these. Full provision for them 
would not burden any American citizen to the amount of a Boston 
biscuit. Leaving matters in their present condition is in the long 
run far more costly. 
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. 
But whether the system I have indicated be adopted or not, whether 
salaries be increased or not, the permanent possession of a suitable 
house or apartment in every leading capital is absolutely the fore- 
most and most elementary of necessities. And, in order 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 on 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, per- 
sonal, 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, and foremost, as essential, that there be provided, at 
each diplomatic post where the United States has a representative, 
a spacious and suitable house or apartment, either bought by our 
Government or taken on a long lease. Secondly, as highly desir- 
able, that American representatives of all grades should have their 
salaries increased by from twenty-five to fifty per cent. Thirdly, 
that an additional number of Secretaries and Attachés should be 
provided in the manner and for the reasons above mentioned. 
Even if the carrying out of these reforms should require an 
appropriation to the diplomatic service sixty per cent. higher than 
it now is, which is an amount greater than, in my opinion, would be 
really required by all the expenditures I propose, including interest 
