There are very few of the countries in Europe where a passport is required. andnAmerican citizens traveling either for business or pleasure are in the habit of securing passports from the Department of State before leaving home. He has direct connection with thecourt or government to whichhe is accredited. He conveys to his own Government all that occurs in the country where he resides in relation to or can have any importance to the trade. commerce. and interests of our people abroad. and he is there. as has been said by the gentleman who last addressed the committee. to protect the rights of citizens. whether foreign born or naturalized. and in that respect recent events have clearly demonstrated that to withdraw our ministers. or to abridge their power. would be an acknowledged weakness in our Government which could not be condoned. and a calamity to those of our citizens who have suffered arrest and imprisonment in foreign countries. It would be a source of serious objection. in my judgment. to an American minister at a foreign court to allow a consular officer. without reference to his own wishes or the qualifications of the consul. to be appointed with power to have access to and control of the records of his legation. of the archives. and of all the business interests represented by him at that government. The selection of a secretary to take charge of such matters should be left with the minister himself. so that the citizen who is best qualified may be selected to fulfill the duties.
Keywords matched
naturalized foreign born