Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-12-09
economy TIL:
. GREATEST NEED
SAYS MESSAGE
PRESIDENT SAYS 1T is MOST I'M.
PoRTANT QUESTION; DIS
cussEs METHODS TAKEN TO
MEET THE DEFICIT.
MANY SUBJECTS TO
BE TREATED LATER

TAFT STATES THAT coNsERvA-
y. TIoN QUESTION AND ANTI
TRUST AMENDMENTS WILL BE
suBJEcT OF FUTURE MESSAGES
Washington, D. c., Dec 7.-Presi-
dent Taft today sent his annual mes
sage to congress. The tariff, the Mic
Z araguan question, sugar frauds and
white slavery" are among the ques-
lions discussed. Perhaps the most
important question presented to this
( administration Is that of economy in
expenditure and sufficiency of reve-
nue." says the president, who dis
cusses the methods taken to meet the
deficit
The president declares it unwise to
attempt revision of the tariff until the
facts are at hand upon which such re-
vision can properly be undertaken.
Speaking generally he says the coun-
try is in high state of prosperity.
He notes the increase in the cost of
living, but says the tariff is not the
cause. In those products of the fac
tory and farm there has been no in
crease in the tariff or in many in
stances a very considerable reduction,
the president declares.
Other important recommendations in
the message call for a reform in judi
cial procedure and the establishment
L Of national board of health.
Mr.. Taft says that conservation of
/ natural resources, among other things,
/ and proposed amendments to antitrust
and interstate commerce laws will be
\ discussed in special messages which
will be sent to- congress later,
d Refers to Foreign Affairs.
In the beginning of the message, the
president says:
\ 1.-The relations of the United States
with all foreign governments have
continued upon the normal basis of
amity and good understanding. and
are very generally satisfactory"
The status of international ques-
lions are discussed. Hopes for sat
isfactory settlement of the negotiations
l between Great Britain, Japan and Rus
STA for the preservation and protec-
ton of fur seals In the North Pacific
are expressed.
Referring to Belgian annexation of
i the Congo, the message says this
question is still open but in a more
hopeful stage "The announced pro-
grams of reforms while striking at
many of the evils known to exist, are
an augury of better things"
Latin American relations are consid-
cred, the president referring to his
meeting with President Diaz of Mex
ico which he hopes signalizes the
close and cordial relations with that
republic.
AS to the Alsop claim against Chile,
the president says:
Happily, as the result of the recent
diplomatic negotiations. the govern
Nments of the United States and Chile,
actuated by the sincere desire to free
from any strain those cordial and
friendly relations upon which both
set much store, have agreed by a
\ protocol to submit the controversy TO
definitive settlement by His Britannia
1 Majesty, Edward VII"
h The Nicaraeuan Situation.
KS, President Taft then refers to Cen
sral American affairs, declaring that
The Zelaya government of Nicaragua
has kept Central America in constant
IT need not rehearse here the pa
tient efforts Of this government to pro
mote peace and welfare among these
A republics. efforts which are fully ap
preciated by the majority of them who
are loyal to their true interests. II
would be no less unnecessary to re
hearse here the sad tale Of unspeak
able barbarities and oppression alleg
i led to have been committed by the Re
ava government. Recently two Amer
icans were put to death by order Of
President Zelaya himself. They were
reported to have been regularly com
missioned officers in the organized
III forces of a revolution, which had con
Il tinued many weeks and was proceed
y ing in an orderly fashion in control o.
about half of the republic. and as such
according to the modern enlightened
practice of civilized nations, they
would be entitled to be dealt with as
prisoners of war.
"At the date when this message il
printed this government is proceeding
with deliberate circumspection to de
termine the exact truth in relation tt
n these reports and upon the course il
Il the premises most consistent with it:
dignity, it's duty to American interest.
and its moral obligations to Contra
America and to civilization.
| The Far Eastern Question.
Concerning the far east. the message
says this government preserves I'm
b changed it's policy of supporting tn,
principle of equality and opportunity
and that the equal participation g
Americans in the Chinese railroad LOAF
seems assured