The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-12-03

business rivals. and upon this kind OF So
cret evidence the values of imported goods
were frequently raised and heavy penal
ties were frequently imposed upon import
ers. who were never permitted TO know
what the evidence was and who never
had an opportunity to meet IL. IL In quito
probable that this system tended toward
an increase OF the duties collected upon
imported goods. but ! conceive II to be
violation OF law TO exact more duties than
the law provides. just as 1t is violation
to admit goods upon the payment OF less
than the legal rate OF duty. This practice
was repugnant to the spirit OF American
law and TO American sense OF justice. In
the judgment OF the most competent ex-
perts OF the treasury department and the
department OF commerce and labor II was
wholly unnecessary for the due collection
of the customs revenues and the attempt
TO defend 1t merely illustrates the demor-
alization which naturally follows from
long continued course OF reliance upon
such methods. i accordingly caused the
regulations governing this branch OF the
customs service TO be modified so that
values are determined upon hearing In
which all the parties interested have an
opportunity to be heard and to know the
evidence against them. Moreover our
treasury agents are accredited to the gov
ernment of the country I'm which they
seek information and I'm Germany receive
the assistance of the quasi Official cham
tual market value of goods in accordance
with what i am advised to be the true
construction of the law. =
These changes of regulations were
adapted to the removal of such manifest
abuses that I have not felt that they
ought to be confined to our relations with
Germany. and have extended their oper-
! alton TO all other countries which have
expressed desire to enter into similar
administrative relations.
China.
| / ask for authority to reform the agree
ment with China under which the indem-
| nifty OF 1900 was fixed by remitting and
canceling the obligation of China for the
payment OF all that part Of the stipulated
| indemnity which is I'm excess OF the sum
of Sl1 655. go and interest at per cent.
After the rescue of the foreign legations
! in Peking during the Boxer troubles In
1900 the powers required from China the
/ payment of equitable indemnities to the
several nations, and the final protocol un-
der which the troops were withdrawn,
! signed at Peking Sept. Z, 1901. fixed the
amount of this indemnity allotted to the
United States at over 1900. and Chi
| ma paid UP TO and including the LIST day OF
| June last little over S. 200. 900. 1t was the
! first intention of this government at the
proper time when all claims had been pre-
sented and all expenses ascertained as
fully as possible to revise the estimates
and account and as a proof of sincere
I friendship for China voluntarily to re-
lease that country from it's legal liability
for all payments in excess OF the sum
which should prove to be necessary for
actual indemnity to the United States and
its citizens.
Chinese Students.
This nation should help in every prac-
| ticable way In the education OF tho Chi
nese people. so that the vast and popu-
lous empire Of China may gradually
| adapt itself to modern conditions. One
way of doing this is by promoting the
| coming Of Chinese students TO this coun-
try and making It attractive to them to
take courses at our universities and high
| er educational institutions. Our educa.
tors should, so far as possible. take con-
certed action toward this end.
Mexico and Central America.
On the courteous invitation Of the presi-
dent OF Mexico. the secretary of state Wis
tied that country in September and Octo-
ber and was received everywhere with the
greatest kindness and hospitality.
He carried from the government OF the
United States to our southern neighbor
message of respect and good will and of
desire for better acquaintance and in
creasing friendship. The response from
the government and the people OF Mexico
was hearty and sincere. No pains were
tude and feeling toward the United States.
In view of the close neighborhood Of the
| two countries the relations which exist be-
tween Mexico and the United States are
Just cause for qualification. We have =
common boundary OF over 800 miles from
the gulf of Mexico to the Pacific. Much
| Of IL s marked only by the shifting wa
ters of the Rio Grande. Many thousands
of Mexicans are residing upon our side OF
the line. and 1t is estimated that over
40 900 Americans are resident I'm Mexican
territory and that American investments
| I'm Mexico amount to over 500, 900. The
extraordinary industrial and commercial
| prosperity of Mexico has been greatly pro-
| noted by American enterprise, and Amer
| leans arc sharing largely in it's results.
The foreign trade Of the republic already
| exceeds $2i0, 900. 900 per annum. and Of this
two-thirds both OF exports and imports
are exchanged with the United States.
| Under these circumstances numerous ques-
tions necessarily arise between the two
| countries. These questions are always ap-
/ preached and disposed OF in spirit Of
| mutual courtesy and fair dealing. Amer
leans carrying on business in Mexico testl-
fy uniformly to the kindness and consid-
Grafton with which they are treated and
their sense of the security Of their prop
erty and enterprises under the wise ad-
minstration of the great statesman who
has so long held the Office OF chief magis-
Pirate Of that republic.
The two governments have been uniting
their efforts for a considerable time past
to aid Central America In attaining the
degree of peace and order which have
made possible the prosperity of the north
ern parts of the continent After the
peace between Guatemala, Honduras and
Salvador. celebrated under the circum-
stances described in my last message, a
new war broke out between the republics
, OF Nicaragua, Honduras and Salvador.
The effort TO compose this new dihiculty
has resulted In the acceptance OF the joint
;, suggestion OF the presidents OF Mexico
and OF the United States for general peace
conferences between all the countries or
, Central America. On the 18th day OF Sep
, tenlbcr last n protocol was signed between
| the representatives OF five Central Amer
I lean countries accredited TO this govern
ment agreeing upon conference to DO
held i'm the city of Washington ''in order
. TO devise the means OF preserving the
good relations among said republics and
1 H.