DIPLOMATIC PRESTIGE

A recent significant innovation among the flood of new proposals by President Hoover is his plan, presumably promoted by "Good Will," to reorganize the Foreign Service. Although "Good Will" may be merely another term for attracting business, efficiency and practically are the generally accepted motives for the programme. As a result of observations made on his South American trip, Hoover has concluded that diplomatic primacy should be centered in Latin America rather than in Europe; for there, legations seem to be diminishing in their demands for unusually gifted diplomats, since policies and ententes already are firmly established.

Having heretofore been regarded as relatively unimportant, South American embassies have been filled at times with representatives of little distinguished ability. President Hoover has evidently observed that many of the emissaries are either partially unaware of the opportunities afforded them for serving their country, or are unable to grasp the importance involved in the new "Good Will" policy toward our most promising field of commercial development.

Since the President has stated that contemplated changes in public service would not require a large recruiting of new personnel, he will undoubtedly draft his diplomats from more ornate but less exacting service in European posts, to add prestige to South American embassies. The proposed plan is in accord with the experienced organizing ability of Mr. Hoover, and diplomats will soon learn that the needs of the service outweigh the personal preferences of those who are a part of it.