Circular.
Department of State,
Washington, April 26,
1902.
To the diplomatic and considar
officers of the United States.
Gentlemen: I append for your information and
guidance copy of an Executive order, dated April 25, 1902, prohibiting
diplomatic and consular officers from preferring charges against or
criticising any other officer in either service except confidentially to
the Department of State.
I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant,
Executive order.
Whereas the publication of alleged charges and criticisms against
officers of the diplomatic and consular service, without an
opportunity being given for due consideration of both sides of the
questions at issue, has led to injustice to the persons attacked and
to embarrassment to the Department of State in its disposition of
the public business:
It is hereby ordered that hereafter no officer of the diplomatic or
consular service of the United States shall attack, or prefer
charges against, or publicly criticise, any other officer in either
service, except in a communication to the Department of State.
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Whenever any such officer deems that his duty compels him to prefer
charges against any other officer in either service, he shall
communicate such charges confidentially to the Department of State,
which will, upon due consideration of all the circumstances, make
such disposition of the case as in its discretion seems wise in the
interest of the public business.
Theodore Roosevelt.
White
House, April 25,
1902.
