The Washington herald., 1910-09-19

Beverly. Sept. 1S-President Taft in his
coming message TO Congress will give
prominence TO a recommendation that at
least 100000 be Appropriated for i'm
mediate use in beginning the fOrt!hca-
ton Of the Panama Canal. II also became
known here to-day that President Tafts
economy plans do not contemplate any
Interference with the established naval
policy Of adding two battle ships year
TO the American fleet.
President Taft believes that there ought
10 be no delay IN this government under
taking the fortifcation OF the canal. He
recommended an appropriation Of 5000
Oo0 for this purpose az the last session
of Congress, but it encountered some op-
position in the House and vas not
pushed.
The plans for the protection Of the
canal, as recommended by a commission
OF army engineers. include the erection
Of fortifcations on the isthmus at each
end OF the canal. and also the fortifca-
ton OF a group OF small Islands near
the Paciac entrance. The cost OF the for
t7hcation has be.n variOusly estimated
as high as sl4,O0o,ooo.
Has Power 10 Fortify Canal.
President Taft holds that the United
States has ample power. under her treaty
rights. TO fortify the canal. In fact. the
only way this government can police
and protect the canal. in his opinion, IS
by fortifying II. and he proposes 10 ex-
ert his influence 10 accomplish this 1t
the earliest possible date.
| II was learned to-day that the admin
istration in connection with the fortia-
| cation OF the canal also is thinking ot
! establishing a strong naval base on
Guantanamo Island, near Cuba. Secre-
tary Of the Navy Meyer will soon take
a trip TO Guantanamo for the purpose
OF observing conditions there. II is the
opinion Of navy experts that future wars
| in which this country nay be engaged,
| II they ever come. viii be fought out in
! the neighborhood of the Panama Canal,
and il is IN connection with this opinion
/ that Secretary Meyer is looking toward
| Guantanamo as affording a base for
an American fleet.
Probing Tariff Conditions.
| OF almost equal interest to-day with
/ the news Of the Presidents attitude To-
ward the fertilization OF the canal was
/ the announcement OF the likelihood OF
/ the negotiation Of a reciprocity treaty
between this country and Newfoundland.
| Charles Pepper, the American tariff ex-
pert. is in Newfoundland now invesugat-
/ ing the tariff question with a view 10
opening negotiations The drawing OF this
/ treaty would, of course. be in accord
ance with the efforts that are now bs-
/ ing put forth 10 effect q similar trade
! agreement with Canada. Newfoundland
/ is a separate government. II is UNDER
| stood that the prospects of favorable
negotiations with Newfoundland are as
bright as they are in the case of Can
/ ada.
The President left here az about Il
o'clock tonight for Boston, where he
took the midnight train for New Haven.
/ He will leave New Haven at 3 O'Clock to-
morrow afternoon after attending a
( meeting of the Yale corporation. He will
! go direct 10 Cincinnati by way Of
/ Springfield Albany. and Buffalo.
The Presidents thTee-day Cabinet ses-
/ sion at the White House will begin a
week from tomorrow. II was learned
to-day that the BallingeT case Will not
/ he taken up by the Cabinet The Presi-
! dent regards the case as absolutely set
tied so far as he is concerned until the
majority of the members OF the Con-
| gressonal investigating committee re-
port II is doubtful if the President
would accept Secretary Ballinger's resig-
nation now. even if it were offered.