The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-12-08
Nicaraguan Question Set Aside for Present and Will Be
Handled in Special Message at Later Date and Other
Important Subjects Will Also Be Taken
Up and Discussed

thorough examination of the conven-
lions and of the several contextua docu-
ments, the Secretary of State reached the
conclusion that no such monopoly was
intended accomplished. However in
view of the widespread discussion of this
question, to confirm the view it had
reached. this government made inquiry of
the imperial Chinese and japanese gov
ernments and received from each Off
cial assurance that the provision had no
purpose inconsistent with the policy of
equality of opportunity to which the sig
natories. in common with the United
States. are pledged.
Our traditional relations with the Jap
anese Empire continue cordial as usual.
As the representative of Japan his i'm
perial highness Prince Kuni visited the
Hudson-F Fulton celebration. The recent
visit of a delegation of prominent bust
ness men as guests of the chambers of
commerce OF the Pacific slope. whose rep
resentatives had been so aereeably re-
ceived in Japan. will doubtless contribute
to the growing trade across the Pacific.
as well as to that mutual understanding
which leads TO mutual appreciation. The
arrangement of 1903 for a cooperative
control of the coming of laborers to the
United States has proved TO work sarls-
factorily. The matter of a revision OF
the existing treaty between the United
States and Japan which is terminable in
1912 is already receiving the study of both
countries.
The department of state is considering
the revision in whole or in part of the
existing treaty with Siam, which was
concluded in 1856 and is now. in respect
to many of Its provisions, out of date
The Department of State.
I earnestly recommend to the favorable
action of the Congress the estimates sub
mitted by the department of state and
most especially the legislation suggested
in the Secretary of States letter of this
date whereby II will be possible to de-
velop and make permanent the reorgani-
cation of the department upon modern
lines In name rto make it a thorough
ly efficient instrument in the furtherance
of our foreign trade and of American in
terests abroad. The plan to have divi-
sions of batin-American and far eastern
affairs and to institute certain special
ization In business with Europe and the
near east will at once commend itself
These poltico- geographical divisions and
the detail from the diplomatic or consul
lar service to the depa rtment of a num-
Der of men, who bring to the study of
complicated problems in different parts
of the world practical knowledge recent
greatest advantage to the Secretary OF
State in foreseeing conditions likely to
arise and in conducting the great varie-
ty OF correspondence and negotiation. II
should be remembered that such facili-
ties exist in the foreign offices of all the
leading commercial nations and that to
deny them to the Secretary of State
would be to place this government at a
great disadvantage in the rivalry of COM
mercial competition.
The consular service has been greatly
improved under the law of April 3 1906.
and the executive order of June n, 1906
and l commend to your consideration
the question of embodying in a statute
the principles of the present executive
order upon which the efficiency of our
consular service is wholly dependent.
In modern times political and CONNER
cial interests are differentiated, and in
the negotiation of commercial treaties
conventions and tariff agreements the
Keeping open of opportunities and the
proper support of American enterprises,
our diplomatic service is quite as i'm
portant as the consular service to the
business interests of the country I'm
pressed with this idea and convinced that
selection after rigorous examination pro-
motion for merit solely and the exper-
ience only to be gained through the
continuity of an organized service are in
depensable to a high degree of efficiency
in the diplomatic service, | have signed
an executive order as the first step to-
ward this very desirable result. Its eff
feet should be to place all secretaries
in the diplomatic service in much the
same position as consular officers are
now placed and to tend to the promo
ton of the most efficient to the grade
OF minister. generally leaving for outside
appointment such posts of the grade OF
ambassador or minister as IL may be ex-
pedient to fill from without the service
1t is proposed also to continue the prac-
tice instituted last summer of giving to
all newly appointed secretaries at least
one months thorough training in the de-
partment of state before they proceed to
their posts. This has been done for some
time in regard to the consular service
with excellent results.
Under provision of the act of Au-
gust S, 1909. l have appointed three Of
fcals to assist the officers of the gov
eminent in collecting information neces-
sary to a wise administration of the tariff
act of August 3, 1909. AS to questions
OF customs administration they are CO
operating with the officials of the treas
ury department and as to matters of the
needs and the exigencies of our manu-
facturers and exporters, with the depart
nent of commerce and labor, in it's re-
lation to the domestic aspect of the sub
ject OF foreign commerce. In the study
of foreign tariff treatment they will as
sst the bureau of trade relations Of the
department of state 1t Is hoped thus to
coordinate and bring to bear upon this
most important subject all the agencies
of the government which can contribute
anything to its efficient handling.
As a consequence of section of the
tariff act of August 8. 1909. 1t becomes
the duty of the Secretary of State to
conduct as diplomatic business all the
negotiations necessary to place him in a
position to advise me to whether or
not a particular country unduly discrim-
mates against the United States in the
sense of the statute referred to. The
great scope and complexity of this work.
as we'll as the obligation to lend all
proper aid to our expanding commerce,
Is met by the expansion of the bureau of
trade relations as set forth in the esti-
mates of the department OF state.
Other Departments.
have thus in some detail described the
important transactions of the state de-
partment since the beginning of this adj
ministration for the reason that there is
no provision either by statute or custom
for u formal report by the Secretary oc
State TO the President or to Congress-
and presidential message is the only
means by which the condition of our for
eign relations is brought to the atten-
ton of Congress ana the public.
In dealing with the affairs of the other
dapo ri wants the baoHe If xyti.l, v,,1.