The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-12-08
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE:
is READ IN CONGRESS
In 1t Taft Says Some Criticism of Payne Tariff
He Advocates Changing Schedules as
Necessity for Change Is Made Manifest
Other Matters Discussed.

TO the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives:
During the past year the foreign re-
iations 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.
Tue arbitration of the fisheries dis
pute bctween 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
encies OF modern times, the congress
at its last session passed law provid-
ing for the appointment of commits
siDn OF five members ito he appointed
by 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 aud 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 dimin-
tsh 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.
1t is gratifying to note that the ne
gotiations for q 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 Huku0nG 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 /,
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 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
eficiai. 1t justifes further efforts for
the reimbursement of the commercial
relations of the two countries so that
their commerce may follow the chan
Dcis natural to contiguous countries
and DC commensurate with the steady
expansion of trade and industry on
cfd nf I,n
The Department OF State.
All tariff negotiations, so vital to our
commerce and Industry, and the duty
Of jealousy guarGin the equitable al
Just treatment of our products, capita
and Industry abroad dcyolvc uicn Tho
hop2rtEcn; CT state.
Tie efforts OF that department 20 So
euro COX c;iizcn9 If the United states
rqIA opportunities IN tie market q
fhe weird and to c%nGnl AWe:l al
commerce dave boon most aucccss.U!
Ihe volume of busine2s obtained IL
new fields of competition and M
new Zines Is already very great END
congress is urged to continue 10 sup
port tbe department OF state IN IL cu
deayors for further trade cspGGsiCl.
An inetumcntality indlspcAs2 Bile I.
rhc unhalnpered and natural develop
rient of American commerce Is meg
chant marine. All maritime and com
mcrciai nations recognize ne imnar
lance OF this factor. The greatest com
nerciM nations. our competitors. jeal
Ously foster their merchant marine.
alluded to this most important sub
jcrt in my last annual message. 1t ha'
oficn been before you. and need no
rceaRitulate the reasons for It's recon
mediation. Unless prompt action b.
taken the completion of the Panam'
canal VIII 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 world
commercial intercourse.
For many reasons cannot TOO strong
~ urge upon the congress the passag
of measure by mail subsidy or othe
xubventi,n adequate to guarantee til
establishment and rapid development
of an American merchant marine, til
restoration of the American flag to it
ancient place upon the seas.
"Of course such aid ought only
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