Arizona republican., 1909-12-08

Washington. Dec. 1.-President Taft today sent his annual message to congress. The tariff. the Nicaraguan question. sugar frauds and white slavery" are among the questions dis cussed.
 Perhaps the most important question presented to this administration IS that of economy in expenditure and sufficiency of revenue, says the presi- dent, who discusses the methods taken to meet the deficit The president de- clares it unwise to attempt further re- vision of the tariff until the facts are at hand upon which such revision can properly be undertaken.
 Speaking generally. he says the country is in a high state of prosper ity. 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 and in many in stances a very considerable reduction, the president declares.
 President Taft says the Zelaya gov ernrnent of Nicaragua has kept Central America in constant turmoil. It Is un- necessary. he says. to rehearse here the sad tale of unspeakable barbarity and oppression alleged to have been committed by the Zelayan government. Recently two Americans were put to death by order of President Zelaya himself. They were reported to have been regular commissioned officers in the organized forces of a revolution. and as such. according to the modern enlightened practice of civilized na- tions. they would be entitled to be dealt with as prisoners of war"
 He continues: This government proceeded with deliberate circumspec- ton to determine the exact truth in relation to these reports and upon the course in the premises most consistent with its dignity. its duty to American interests and its moral obligations to Central America and to civilization"
 Concerning the far east. the presi- unchanged it's policy of supporting the open door and adds;
 "Our traditional relations with the Japanese empire continue cordial as usual The arrangement of 1908 for co-operative control of the coming Of laborers to the United States has proved to work satisfactorily.
 Reorganization of the department of state upon modern lines in furtherance of our foreign trade and of American interests abroad is recommended.
 President Taft refers with regret to the sugar frauds recently discovered. saving that the settlement made with the so-called trust will not interfere with Tor prevent the criminal prosecn- ton of everyone who was found to be subject tn the same. He believes that an investigation Of the frauds by congress at present would be mad visable. saying it might give immunity and otherwise prove an embarrass- ment in securing conviction of the guilty parties.
 President Taft then discusses thc tariff and the operation Of the max imum and minimum clause in the act He says that in the working of this, fear has been expressed that the pow CT conferred and duty imposed upon the executive is likely to lead to h tariff war T beg to express the hope ana Dtlltl titdl ip SuNll H'th p' anticipated" MT. Taft says. No ohe is seeking 6 .ariff war or condition in which the spirit of retaliation shall be aroused
 A reduction In the estimates of the war department for the coming fiscal year. which brings the total estimates down to an amount s45.00o.000 less than the corresponding estimates for last year. is mentioned by the presi- dent. all progress in military matters being suspended for a year as con sequence These measures can hardly be more than temporary. the executive says Later he will send a special message to congress upon military matters. Concurring in needed changes in the army he places emphasis on the need for an elimination bill. ''The coast defenses of the United States proper are generally all that could be desired and in some respects they are rather more elaborate than under present conditions are needed to stop an enemy's fleet from entering the harbOrs defended.
 The president concurs in the judg