Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 39, Number 61, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 April 1907 — EDITING CONSULAR REPORTS, [ARTICLE]

EDITING CONSULAR REPORTS,

All Statements Calculated to Hurt Foreign Nations Are Cut Out. In the bureau of trade relations the consular reports arc carefully read and, when necessary, so revised as to eliminate everything unsuitable for publication from the standpoint of the interests of the government, says the Atlantic. Not infrequently a report is of Such character as to make it inexpedient to publish any, portion, in which, case it is filed in toto in the archives of the department of state for future reference. All statements in the reports calculated to cause adverse ” criticism in a foreign country, or to bring about diplomatic representations on the part of another, government, or to embarrass the administration of any executive branch of our government are omitted from the material transmitted to the department of commerce and labor for publication. Under the head of matter that is objectionable because of its probable effect in a foreign community come slighting allusions to any nationality or race; adverse criticism, even implied, of the political, social, or religious Institutions ; disparaging statements in regard to the enforcement of the laws; charges of dishonesty and inefficiency of the officials, etc. In short, anything that reflects on the integrity and efficiency of the foreign administration, or that might offend the sensibilities of the people of the country, Is eliminated In the state department, which Is, of course, the best judge of the diplomatic properties.