The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-07
President Taft Sends Message
 To Congress On Legislation
CONTINUED FROM PAGE @

1 for the pacltlc SetlleiiShl oA nut national disputes
 There has been signed by the repre- sen atives of the United States and Mexico a protocol submitting to the United States Mexican boundary com mission (whose membership for the purpose of this case Is to be increased by the addition of a citizen of Canada) the question of sovereignty over the Chamizal tract which lies within the present physical boundaries of the city of El raso, Texas. The determination of this question will remove a source of no little annoyance to the two gov ernments.
 The republic of Honduras has for many years ben burdened with heaNy bonded debt held in Europe, the Inter- est on which long ago fell Tn arfeats s' Finally conditions were such that IL became imperative to refund the debt and place the finances of the republic upon a sound basis. Last year group | of American bankers undertook to do l this and to advance funds for railway and other improvements contflpulIns directly to the countrys prosperity ana commerce-an arrangement WHICH Hda long been desired by this government Negotiations to this end have been un- der way for more than year and II l is now confidently believed that short time will suffice to conclude an ar 1 ran cement which will be satisfactory to the foreign creditors, emlnently ad- vantageous to Honduras, and h1ghly credi.able to the judgement and iore- sight of the Honduranean government. | This is much to be desired sinee' as recognized by the Washington cohVeh- tions a strong Honduras would tend l immensely to the progress ana prosper | ity of Central America.
 During the past year, the republic or Nicaragua has been the scene or lh- ternecine struggle. General Aelayd, for IT years the absolute ruler ol Nfcara gua, was throughout his career the disturber of Central America ana onposed every plan for the promotlon of neace and friendly relations between the five republics When the people ot Nicaragua were finally driven into re bellion by his lawless eNaetiohs, ae violated the laws of war by the unWar- ranted execution of two American cttl- zens who had regularly enlisted Ill the ranks of the revolutionfsts This ana other offenses made 1t the duty of the l American government to take measures with a view to ultimate repafatioh and for the safeguarding of it's inter ests. This involved the breaking orr of all diplomatic relations with the Zelaya government for the reasons lalo down in a communication from the Sec retary of State, which also nolllleu the contending factions in Nicaragua that this government would hold eaeh to strict accountability for outrages on inc rights of American citizens. Amer ican forces were sent to both coasts of Nicaragua to be in readiness should occasion arise to protect Amefleahs and their interests, and renamed lhefe until the war was over and peace hdo returned to that unfortunate country. These events, together with zelaya 5 continued exactions, brought him SO clearly to the bar of public opinion that he was forced to resign and 10 take refuge 'abroad.
 In the above mentioned communica- ton of the Secretary Of State 10 the charge d'atfaires of the Zelaya govern ment. the opinion was expressed mat the revolution represented the wishes of the majority of the Nlcaraguan peo- pie. This has now been proved pe- yond doubt by the fact that since the complete overthrow of the Madriz gov l ernment and the occupation of the cap 1 ital by the forces of the revolution, all | ,acAons have united to maintain pub I lie order and as result of discussion with an agent of this government, sent | to Managua at the request or the pro
 visional government, comprehensive
 plans are being made for the future l
 rehabilitation of public credit. The moderation and conciliatory spirit shown by the various factions give ground for the confident hope that | Nicaragua will soon take it's rightful
 place among the law-abiding and pro gressive countries of the world.
 It gratifies me exceedingly to an- nounce that the Argentine Republic
 some months ago placed with Ameri- | contract for the construction of two battleships and l certain additional naval equipment | The extent of this work and it's inn 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 2 re- spectng the maximum and minimum l tariffs of the United States, which pro- visions came into effect on April l, | 1910, imposed upon the President the | responsibility of determining prior to | that date whether or not any undue discr ninatlon existed against the Uni
 ted States and It's products in any country of the world with which we
 sustained commercial relations.
 In the case of several countries in-
 stances of apparent undue discrimination
 
 10 exist These discriminaticns were re- | moved by negotiation. Prior to April l, l910 when the maximum, tariff was to 1 come into operation with respect to i'm
 portations from all those countries in
 whose favor no proclamation applying
 the minimum tariff should be issued by l the President, 134 such oclamations | were issued. This series of proclamations | em 5raced the entire commercial world,
 and hence the minimum tariff of the l United States has been given universal
 application, thus testifying to the satis | factory character of our trace relations with foreign countries
 | Marked advantages to the commerce of the United States were obtained through these tariff settlements. Foreign ma
 lions are fully cognisant of the fact that
 under section of the tariff act the Pres
 ident is required, whenever he Is satis
 fled that the treatment acco.Ied by them
 to the products of the United States is not such as to entitle then. O he bene. ifs of the minimum tariff os the United
 States, to withdraw those benefits by
 proclamation giving ninety days notice . after which the maximum tal if will ap
 ply to their dutiable prod'.cts entering
 the United States. In it's general oper
 ation this section of the tariff law ha.
 thus far proved a guaranty of continued
 commercial peace, although there are
 however, unfortunately instances wher,
 foreign governments deal arbitrarily witt
 American interests within their jurisdic
 tion in a manner injurious and inequit
 able.
 Tho policy of broader and closer trad
 rela lions with the Dominion of Canad
 which was initiated in the ad dustment 0
 the maximum and minimum provisions o , the tariff act of August, 190c has prove