Speech #770202590

There is too widespread an idea that a foreign officers life consists of a round of social gaieties on some sunkissed strand where trouble and danger never disturb them. and where a paternal Government meets all expenses with a generous salary and allowances. The reality is very different. The Foreign Service as a whole is charged with a wide variety of duties among which may be mentioned: The conduct of negotiations with other governments. political and economic reporting. the promotion of American trade. the general protection of American interests. the issuance of passports and immigration visas. notarial services. the issuance of consular invoices for goods exported to the United States. assistance to American shipping. and reporting on a wide range of subjects for all branches of the Federal Government. Since the outbreak of the war in Europethe Service has also been charged with representing ina number of countries the interests of foreign governments. All of these functions have been made imnieasurably more difficult by war conditions. and yet there must be a man on the spot for possible contingencies.