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.

Deals With Panama Canal, Postal Saw
ings Bank, Parcels Post and conser-
vation-Asks For Raise of Judicial
SaIaries-Recommend For Fit
ting Honor For Peary.
Washington, Dec. G-The 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-
tinucd upon 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-
vention OF 1918, has given an award
which is satisfactory to both parties.
Peace Commission.
Approaching these enlightened tend
encics OF modern times, the congress
at its last session passed law proTld-
ing for the appointment of a commits
sion Of fire mcmberS 'to be appointed
by the president Of the United States
to consider the cxpedicncy Of utilizing
existing international agencies for the
purpose Of limiting the armamcnts OF
the nations Of the world by information
al agreement and OF constituting the
combined navics 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 1905
under the treaty Of April II, 1908, be-
tween Great Britain and the United
States, has resulted in tho 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 tho past year has again
been China.
1t is gratifying TO note that the ne
gotiations for loan to the Chinese
government for the construction Of the
trunk railway lines from Hankow
southwark to Canton and westward
through the Yangtsc valley. known rs
the Hukuang loan, were concluded by
the representatives Of the various
financial groups in May last and tho
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 |.
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 its products in any
country Of the world with which wo
sustained commercial relations.
The policy Of broader and closer
trade relations with the Dominion Of
Canada which was initiated in the ad.
iustmcnt OF the maximum and mini
Mum provisions Of tho tariff act of
August, 1909. has proved mutually ben
efcial 1t iustificS further efforts for
the reimbursement Of the commercial
relations Of the two countries so That
their commerce may follow the chan
nelS natural to contiguous countries
and be commensurate with the StcadE
expansion OF trade and industry on
both sides Of the boundary line.
Tho Department Of State.
All tariff negotiations so vital TO our
commerce and industry. and the duty
Of iealuuSly guarding the equitable and
just treatment of our prodrcts. capital
and industr: abroad dcvolvc upon the
department OF state.
The efforts of that department TO Sc
cure for citizens Of the United States
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. ana
congress is urged to continue I" sup
port the department Of state III IT'S en-
deavors for further trade expansion.
An instrumcntality Indispensable to
the unhaInpcrcd and natural develop
ment OF American commerce is mer
chant marine. All maritime and con-
mercial nations recognize the lmror
lance OF this factor. The greatest com
mcrcial nations. our competitors. jcai
ously foster their merchant marine.
I alluded to this most important SUB
feet in my last annual message. lt mas
often been before you. and need no
racapitulate the reasons for its recon
mendation. Unless prompt action Of
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 grea
contribution to the means of the worid.l
commercial Intercourse. s&