Duties to naval officers were mentioned in connection with “rank” in the
preceding lecture. Officers of the Navy are under a reciprocal duty to
consuls, however, which should be mentioned. On this point I quote the
exact words of the Regulations.
“The Navy is an independent branch of the service, not subject to the
orders of the Department of State, and its officers have fixed duties
prescribed for them; consuls will, therefore, be careful to ask for the
presence of a naval force at their posts only when public exigencies
absolutely require it, and will then give the officers in command the
full reasons for the request and leave with them the responsibility of
action. If the request is addressed to the Department of State, the
reasons should likewise be fully stated for its information.”
The diplomatic service has general supervision over the consular service
in any one country. When there is a consul general, this supervision is
exercised through him, and the consuls will not correspond officially
with the diplomatic officers—except in reply to inquiries. Where there
is no consul general the consuls will correspond directly with the
diplomatic officials and “endeavor in all cases to comply with their
requests and wishes”. Leaves of absence and recommendations for
appointment of subordinate officers are usually sent through the
diplomatic officers.
Sometimes in the absence of a diplomatic officer a consul general or
consul may discharge the duties of a diplomatic officer. Sometimes the
two offices are united in the one representative.
“Consular officers will confer freely with the Treasury revenue agents
who may be appointed to visit and examine the consulates. They will
remember, however, that these agents have no authority to instruct them
as to their official acts”.