The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-14
End OF RAILWAY CONGRESS-.
FOREIGN DELEGATBS TO VISIT
SEVERAL WESTERN CITIES.
Secretary shaw, who Represents the
President, Makes . Speech In which
He DENIES the international and
Commercial Policy % the United states

Secretary shaw, who Represents the
President, Makes . Speech IN which
He Defines the international and
Commercial Policy % the United states
WASHINGTON. May is-Ths final session
Of the international Railway Congress
was held this afternoon at the New Willard
Hotel. Tomorrow nearly three hundred
Of the foreign delegates will leave Wash
ington for a visit to several Western cities,
two tours, a long and q abort one. having
been arranged for the entertainment Of
the visitors.
The new permanent committee Of the
railway congress was announced this morn
ing and the old permanent committee,
presided over by Stuyvesant Fish, presi-
dent Of the Illinois Central Railroad. held
It's last meeting. Secretary Of the Navy
Paul Morton was designated by the Presi-
dent as the representative Of the United
States on the permanent committee.
Among the important resolutions adopted
by the congress Il the following;
Tariffs should be based on commercial
principles, taking into account the special
conditions which bear upon the commercial
value Of the services rendered. With the
reservation that rates be charged without
arbitrary discrimination to all shippers
alike under like conditions, the making
Of rates should as far as possible have all
the elasticity necessary to permit the devel-
opment Of the traflc and TO produce the
greatest results to the public and to the
railroads themselves
A banquet was given this evening at
the New Willard Hotel by the permanent
committee. Secretary Shaw, who repre-
sented President Roosevelt on this occasion,
made a speech which was regarded as
having special significance In view Of the
prospective disturbance Of trade arising
from the new German tariff and reciprocity
treaties. Secretary Shaw said:
1T is a pleasure and very great honor
to bring the Presidents greetings to 80
many distinguished gentlemen, represent
ing so many great nations. Your mis-
sion here is not only peaceful, but that
which you represent tends toward the
worlds peace. Commerce Is great
civilizer, great educator, great con-
servator Of peace. SO l am exceedingly
glad that II has become my privilege to
pronounce the Governments benediction
to this great peace conference.
AS there Is no disturber Of commerce
90 great as war. 80 there is no such lover
of peace as commerce. In proportion
as a people become interested in financial
industrial and commercial pursuits do they
dread and abhor the devastation incident
TO martial conflicts, The United States
stands pledged to the utmost Of its in
fuence 10 the preservation Of the worlds
peace.
1t may not be out Of place in this con-
nection 70 define briefly the International
commercial policy OF the United States.
What ! shall say in this regard relates to
the past and the present, and is in no sonse
a pledge or prediction as to the future.
Il would be out Of place in this presen ce
either 10 defend this policy or TO recommend
its abandonment. I must content mysAlf,
therefore, with its naked announcement.
the United States has heretofore and
now reserves TO itself, by means OF protec-
tive tariffs, a large measure Of the oom-
merce incident to supplying the needs and
wants Of its 5000 900 people. That which
1t YIELDS to Others it yields with few ano
unimportant exceptions TO all on equal
terms, and gives no preferences to any
country or to any people. The few care
the policy and the slight advantage granted
the Republic of Cuba, but evidences man 3
natural regard for his offspring and does
not mark the Inauguration Of new policy.
The United States Offers the product
Of its soil, Of its mines, Of it's forests, Of it's
fisheries and Of its factories to all the world
on equal terms. It grants no export bounty
and Imposes no export duty. The Con-
st tuti ion Of the United States insures to all
the right to buy in our markets on equal
terms With themselves. Whoever will pay
the most gets our products. Az a selling
nation the United States contributes more
20 the international commerce Of the world
than anyot her country onthe map and more
than one-eighth Of the aggregate.
The United States consumes Of tho
products of ether countries more than
two and one-hah millions per day, and
thus contributes to international markets
one-ninth Of the grand aggregate. This
contribution, barring a dozen or 40 minor
articles, the United States thus far has
granted to all on equal terms. It's tariff
duties, imposed for purposes OF protection,
as we'll as those imposed for purposes Of
revenue are equal az bet ween those coun-
tries which pr0tect their markets and those
which make their markets free.
Il hope it will not be considered out Of
place to add that the United States is con-
sistent with itself In that II critici1es no
nation for levying duties, be they ever 30
high, when levied either for purposes Of
protection or for purposes OF revenue, pro-
vided only they are made 70 rest no more
severely upon US than upon others. The
United States only asks the right TO buy In
foreign markets on the same terms as her
commercial competitors and the right 90
sell in all markets on terms as favorable
as any.
sFor two or three years past certain
Of our people have expressed fears lest
the United States will be involved IN tariff
wars. am glad that the record justifes
the statement that the United States has
never yet levied retaliatory tariffs. ] can
therefore assure you, and our own people
az we'll that the world will never be In
l. 1tUN La
ton so long as the United States pursues
its present policy and other countries do not
discriminate against those who do not Gis-
criminate against them"
PRESIDENT DISAPPOINTED THEN