Evening journal., 1910-12-06


nounce that the Argentine Republic
some months ago placed with Ameri-
can manufacturers a contract for the
construction of two battleships and
certain additional naval equipment
The extent of this work and its i'm
portance to the Argentine Republic
make the placing of the bid an earnest
of friendly feeling toward the United
States.
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 /,
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 adj
justment Of the maximum and mini
mum provisions of the tariff act of
August, 1909, has proved mutually ben
ehcial. 1t justifies further efforts for
the readjustment of the commercial
relations of the two countries so that
their commerce may follow the chan
nels natural 10 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 our
commerce and industry, and the duty
of jealousy guarding the equitable and
just treatment of our products. capital
and industry abroad devolve upon the
department of state.
! The Argentine battleshlp contracts,
like the subsequent important one for
Argentine railway equipment. and
those for Cuban government vessels
were secured for our manufacturers
largely through the good offices Of the
department Of state.
The efforts of that department to Sc
I
equal opportunities in the markets of
the world and to expand American
commerce have been most successful.
The volume Of business obtained in
new fields Of competition and upon
new lines is already very great, and
congress is urged to continue TO sup
port the department Of state I'm its en-
deavors for further trade expansion.
An instrumentality indispensable TO
the unhampered and natural develop
ment Of American commerce is mer-
chant marine. All maritime and com
mercial nations recognize the impor-
lance of this factor. The greatest COM
mercial nations. our competitors, 1eal
ously foster their merchant marine.
I alluded TO this most important sub
iect in my last annual message. 1t has
often been before you. and l need not
recapitulate the reasons for its recon-
mendation. Unless prompt action be
taken the completion of the Panama
canal will find this the only great com
mercial nation unable to avail in inter
national maritime business of this great
commercial intercourse.
For many reasons 1 cannot too strong
" urge upon the congress the passage
Of a measure by mail subsidy or other
subvention adequate to guarantee the
establishment and rapid development
Of an American merchant marine. the
restoration of the American flag TO its
ancient place upon the seas.
The excellent results which have at
I tended the partial application Of civil
service principles to the diplomatic and
consular servi Ices are an earnest of the
benefit to be wrought by a wider and
more permanent extension Of those
principles to both branches Of the for
eign service.
Every effort has been made by eacf
department chief to reduce the esti
mated cost of his department for the
ensuing fiscal year ending June 80
1912.
Estimates For Next Years Expenses.
The final estimates for the year end
ing June 80. 1912, as they have beer
sent to the treasury on Nov. % of thii
year for the ordinary expenses of the
government. including those for pub
lie buildings, rivers and harbors anC
the navy building program, amount t
$500. .494, ,O13.12. This is S52,964, ,SS7 81
less than the appropriations for th'
fiscal year ending June 80. 1911. 1t il
sic, ,SS3, 1894 less than the total esti
mates. including supplemental esti
mates submitted to congress by the
treasury for the year 1911, and is So.
574 4,65939 less than the original esti
mates submitted by the treasury fol
1911
These figures do not include the ap
preparations for the Panama canal, tn,
policy in respect to which ought to b,
and is to spend as much each year a;
can be economically and effectively ex
pended in order to complete the cana
as promptly as possible, and there
fore the ordinary motive for cutting
down the expense of the government
does not apply to appropriations fol
this purpose. 1t will be noted that tn,
estimates for the Panama canal fol
the ensuing year are more than S56,
100000, an increase of $20,OOO.OOI
over the amount appropriated for thii
year, difference due to the fact tha
the estimates for 1912 include some
thing over S19,OOO,OO0 for the fortifca
ton of the canal
Against the estimates Of expendi
'