Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-12-06
TAFT'S MESSAGE
UP TO CONGRESS-
President Breaks Record For
Length Of Document
DEFENDS PAYNE TARIFF ACT.

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES For Fit
ting Honor For Peary.
Washington, Dec. G.-rhe president
sent the following message to congress
today:
10 the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatiyes:
During the past year the foreign re-
lations Of the United States have con-
tinued upon a basis of friendship and
good understanding.
The year has been notable as wit
Messing the pacific settlement of two
important international controversies
before the permanent court OF The
Hague.
The arbitration of the fisheries dis
pute between the United States and
Great Britain, which has been the
source Of nearly continuous diplomatic
correspondence since the fisheries con-
yention of 1918, has given an award
which IS satisfactory to both parties.
Peace Commission.
Approaching these enlightened tend
eDcles of modern times. the congress
at its last session passed law provld-
ing for the appointment Of a commits
sion of fiye members "to be appointed
bv the president of the United States
to consider the eXpediency of utilizing
existing international agencies for the
purpose Of limiting the ornaments OF
the nations Of the world by information
al agreement and Of constituting the
combined navies of the world an inter-
national force for the preservation OF
universal peace and TO consider and
report upon any other means to dlmin-
ish the expenditures of government for
military purposes and to lessen the
probabilities Of war"
The work of the international fish
cries commission appointed in 1908,
under the treaty Of April II, 1908, be-
tween Great Britain and the United
States. has resulted In the formula
ton and recommendation Of uniform
regulations governing the fisheries OF
the boundary waters Of Canada and
the United States for the purpose of
protecting and increasing the supply
Of food fish in such waters.
The Far East
The center Of interest in far eastern
affairs during the past year has again
been China.
It is gratifying TO note that the ne
gotiations for a loan TO the Chinese
government for the construction Of the
trunk railway lines from Hankow
southwark to Canton and westward
through the Yangtse valley. known as
the Hukuang loan, were concluded by
the representatives Of the various
financial groups in May last and the
results approved by their respective
governments.
Tariff Negotiations.
The new tariff law in section re
specting the maximum and minimum
tariffs Of the United States. which pro
visions came into effect on April J.,
1910, imposed upon the president the
responsibility of determining prior TO
that date whether or not any undue
discrimination existed against the
United States and it's products in any
country of the world with which we
sustained commercial relations.
The policy Of broader and closer
trade relations with the Dominion Of
Canada which was initiated in the ad.
ipstment of the maximum and mini
Mnm provisions of the tariff act of
August. 1909, has proved mutually ben
eficial It justfies further efforts for
the readjustmcnt Of the commercial
relations of the two countries so HAT
their commerce may follow the chan
nels natural to contiguous countries
and be commensurate with the steady
expansion of trade and industry on
both sides Of the boundary line.
The Department of State.
All tariff negotiations, so vital to ouI
commerce and industry. and the duty
Of iealously guarding the equitable and
just treatment of our prodpcts, capita
and industry abroad devolve upon The
department of state.
The efforts of that department TO SC
cure for citizens Of the United States
equal opportunities in the markets o.
the world and TO expand American
commerce have been most successful
The volume OF business obtained II
new fields of competition and upoi
new lines IS already very great ah'
congress is urged TO continue to sup
port the department Of state In It's en-
deavors for further trade expansion.
An instrumemality Indispensable t
the unhampercd and natural develop
ment OF American commerce IS mer
chant marine. All maritime and com
mercial nations recognize the impoT
lance of this factor. The greatest CON
nercial nations. our competitors. jea
ously foster their merchant marine.
I alluded TO this most important sui
feet i'm my last animal message. 1t Ia
often been before you. and | need nc
recapitulate the reasons for It's recon
mendation. Unless prompt action D
taken the completion Of the Panam
canal will find this the only great con
merclal nation unable to avail In intel
national maritime business Of this grea
contribution 10 the means of the world.
commercial Intercourse. &
For many reasons cannot foo strong
~ urge upon the congress the passag'
of measure 10y mail subsidy or othel
guhvtnti0n adequate to guarantee thu