Mr. Hay to Mr.
Conger.
Department of State,
Washington, July 18,
1902.
No. 545.]
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your
No. 982, of May 10 last, and to inclose herewith for your information
printed copies of the rules which have been adopted governing the
appointment, organization, etc., of the corps of student interpreters in
China provided for by the diplomatic and consular act approved March 22,
1902.
I am, etc.,
[Page 231]
[Inclosure.]
Student interpreters in China.
The diplomatic and consular act approved March 22, 1902, having
provided for ten student interpreters in China, the following rules
governing the appointment, organization, etc., of the corps have
been adopted:
- 1.
- The student interpreters must be citizens of the United
States.
- 2.
- The student interpreters are to devote themselves, under
the direction and supervision of the United States minister
at Pekin, to the study of the language of China with a view
to supplying interpreters to the legation and consulates in
China, and their retention will depend on the ability and
progress which they show in mastering the language and on
their general steadiness and good conduct. They shall apply
themselves exclusively to the study of the Chinese language
for a period of two years, under the direction of the
minister of the United States. In order that their progress
in acquiring a knowledge of the language may be determined
they shall be examined quarterly by the Chinese secretary of
the legation of the United States and annually by a board
composed of the Chinese secretary and two resident Americans
properly qualified. During the period of two years the
student interpreters may not be detached from their studies
for duty in the legation or consulates.
- 3.
- At the expiration of two years the student interpreters
may be detailed for duty as interpreters or assistants in
the legation and consulates in China, where they shall be
subordinate to and under the direction of the person in
responsible charge of the office, and may be required to
perform any official duties in addition to those of
interpreter.
- 4.
- After the expiration of two years student interpreters may
be granted leave of absence for a period not to exceed sixty
days (exclusive of transit when expressly granted) in any
one year. The application for such leave of absence shall be
made to the Secretary of State, and must receive the
approval of the officer under whom the student interpreter
may be serving at the time.
- 5.
- The salary of student interpreters is fixed by law at the
rate of $1,000 per annum. The cost of tuition is to be borne
by the student interpreters.
- 6.
- Student interpreters shall be appointed by the President,
after examination hereinafter provided for, and the
appointments shall be nonpartisan, so far as may be
consistent with aptness and fitness for the intended
work.
- 7.
- Upon receiving such appointment each student interpreter
shall sign an agreement to continue in the service as
interpreter to the legation and consulates in China so long
as his said services may be required within a period of ten
years.
- 8.
- No person drawing the salary of student interpreter shall
be allowed any part of the salary appropriated for any
secretary of legation or other officer.
- 9.
- Student interpreters shall be appointed only after they
shall have successfully passed an examination before a board
of three persons designated by the Secretary of State, who
shall also prescribe the subjects to which such examination
shall relate and the general mode of conducting the same by
the board. Immediately upon the conclusion of such
examination, the examining board will make to the Secretary
of State a report in writing, stating whether in their
judgment the candidate is or is not qualified for the
position, and, if the decision is adverse to the candidate,
summarizing the grounds of such decision.
- 10.
- The subjects to which an examination shall relate shall be
those only which pertain to general education and shall not
include questions of a technical nature.
- 11.
- Candidates must be of sound health and not be under 18 or
over 30 years of age at the date of examination.
John Hay.
Department of
State,
Washington, July 15,
1902.
