The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-03

mission on which it is based will be laid
This careful examination into the tariff
relations between the United states ana
Of our methods OF administration which
had been the cause of much complaint on
o onf yarf % became A satisfied that certain
vicious and unjustifiable practces nao
grown up in our customs adm f deaerm,
detective reports never disclosed to
the persons whose interests were anecteo.
The use of detectives though often neces-
sary, tends towards abuse and should pc
found it to exist in this case, the abuse
had become gross and discreditablei un-
to the market value of merchandise from
the well known and respected members OF
of its production, secret statements were
obtained from informers and discharged
employees and business rivals, and upo ns
imported goods were frequently raised
and heavy penalties were frequently I'M
United to know what the evidence was
and who never had an opportunity to
system tended towards an increase of the
duties collected upon imported goods but
exact more duties than the law provides.
just as 1t is a violation to admit goods
ra P4n Of sHe dnty Fits o. practice was repSs
nant to the spirit of American law ana
to % tb % OF In tne 81
the Treasury department and the Depart
ment Of Commerce and Labor 4 was
wholly unnecessary for the due collection
of the customs revenues, and the attempt
to defend it merely illustrates the demon
long continued course OF reliance upon
such methods. accordingly caused the
customs Gs Service to be m modified SO that
values are determined upon z nearing IN
portunity to be heard and TO know the ev-
| idence against them. moreover our
81 the oounTy in Which they
seek information. and in Germany receive
the assistance of the quasi-ofriciai cham;
market value OF goods. in accordance with
! what I am advised to be the true con-
These changes Of regulations were
adapted to the removal of such manifest
ought to be confined to our relations with
| Germany; and have extended their OPP
Grafton to all other countries which have
| expressed a desire to enter into similar
| administrative relations.
Chinese Indemnity.
| I ask for authority to reform the agree
ni ty' of Tii 1900 S Was liked. BY reitting and
| cancelling the obligation of China for the
Indemnity st - which is IN M excess Of the sum
of eleven million, six hundred and fifty
two dollars ana six sixty-nine C cents. and in
terest at four per cent After the rescue
of the foreign Legations in Picking during
| quired from China the payment of equi-
table indemnities to the several nations.
troops were withdrawn. signed at Picking,
September z. 1901, fixed the amount OF
States at over 100000, and China paid,
up to and ineludins, I'd the he 6 sst day Of June;
last little over $1,000 e II was me me
proper time. when all claims had been
presented and all expenses ascertained as
fully as possible, to revise the estimates
and account, and as q proof of sincere
friendship for China voluntarily to re-
for ali payments in excess Of the sum
| which should prove to be necessary for
actual indemnity to the United States and
This nation should help in every practl-
cable way in the education of the Chinese
people, so that the vast and populous en-
pire of China may gradually adapt itself
to modern conditions. One way of doing
nese students to this country and making
it attractive to them to take courses at
institutions. Our educators should. so far
as possible, take concerted action toward
this end.
Mexico and Central America.
On the courteous invitation of the Pres
ident OF Mexico the secretary of state
visited that country in September and DC
tOber and received everywhere with
the greatest Kindness and hospitality.
He carried from the sovernment of the
sage of respect and good will and of de
sire for better acquaintance and increas-
government and the people OF Mexico was
hearty and sincere. No pains were spared
to manifest the most friendly attitude anc
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
just cause for qualification. We have
common boundary of over 1900 miles from
the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific. Much
tiers of the Rio Grande. Many thousands
OF MeXicans are residing upon our side OF
the line and 1t is estimated that over 49,
territory and that American investments
in Mexico amount to over seven hundred
million dollars. The extraordinary indus
leo has been greatly promoted by Ameri-
can enterprise. and Americans are sharing
of the republic already exceeds $40 O00. 900
per annum. and of this two-thirds both of
the United States. Under these circum-
stances numerous questions necessarily
arise between the two countries. These
posed Of in a spirit Of mutual courtesy
and fair dealing Americans carrying on
] business in Mexico testify uniformly to
the Kindness and consideration with which
they are treated and their sense of the
security of their property and enterprises
under the wise administration OF the
great statesman who has so long held the
office of chief magistrate of that repub-
lie.
The two governments have been uniting
their efforts for considerable time past
to aid Central America In attaining the
made possible the prosperity of the north
ern parts of the continent. After the peace
between Guatemala. Honduras and Saliva
dor celebrated under the circumstances
described in my last message, a new war
broke out between the republics OF Mica
ar a. This ann neE The EFF
gest:on Of the Presidents of Mexico and
of the United States for a general peace
conference between all the countries of