The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1910-12-06
Taft Says Criticism is Not
Against Protective Principle
in MESSAGE TO CONGRESS
Which Also Deals with Panama Canal,
Postal Savings Bank, Parcels Post
and Conservation--Ask for
Raise of Judicial Salaries.

Washington, D. O., Dec g.. President
Taft's message to Congress was present
ed to-day. The message equals the rec
ords for the longest ever submitted. The
record was that Of one Of Roosevelt's,
and it contained 10000 words. President
Taft's message has about the same num-
ber. It was in part as follows;
To the Senate and House Of Representa-
tives;-
During the past year the foreign rela-
tions OF the United States have contin-
ued upon a basis Of friendship good
understanding
The year has been notable as witness
ing the pacific settlement Of two impor
tant international controversies before
the permanent court of The Hague
The arbitration Of the fisheries dispute
between the United States and Great
Britain, which has been the source Of
nearly continuous diplomatic correspond
ence since the fisheries convention of
1873 has given an award which is salts.
factory to both parties.
Peace Commission.
Appreciating these enlightened tenden-
cies OF modern times, the Congress at its
Lac
the appointment of commission OF five
members Ito be appointed by the presl-
dent of the United States to consider
the expediency Of utilizing existing inter-
national agencies for the purpose Of linn
iting the armaments of the nations OF
the world by international agreement
and Of constituting the combined navies
OF the world an international force for
the preservation OF universal peace and
to consider and report upon any other
means TO diminish the expenditures of
government for military purposes and to
lessen the probabilities of war"
The work Of the international fisheries
commission appointed in 1908, under the
treaty of April IL, 1905 between Great
Britain and the United States, has re-
suited in the formulation and recon-
mendation of uniform regulations gov
erning the fisheries OF the boundary wa
ters of Canada and the United States
for the purpose of protecting and in-
creasing 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 nego-
tiations for a loan to the Chinese govern
ment for the construction of the trunk
railway lines from Han5ow southwark
to Canton and westward through the
Yangtse valley, known as the Hukuane
loan, were concluded by the representa-
tives 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-
speeting the maximum and minimum
tariffs OF the United States, which pro-
visions came into effect on April /, 1910,
imposed upon the president the response
bility 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 re-
lations.
The policy Of broader and closer trade
relations with the dominion of Canada,
which was initiated in the adjustment
of the maximum and minimum provi-
sions of the tariff act of August. 1909,
has proved mutually beneficial 1t iusti-
fes further efforts for the readiustment
OF the commercial relations of the two
countries, so that their commerce may
follow the channels natural to contigu-
Gus countries and be commensurate with
the steady expansion of trade and indus
try 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 de-
partment 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 COM
merce have been most successful. The
volume of business obtained in new fields
of competition and upon new lines il al
ready very great, and Congress is urged
to continue to support the department
OF state in its endeayors for further
trade expansion.
An instrumentality indispensable to
the unhampered and natural development
of American commerce is merchant ma
rine All maritime and commercial ma
tions recognize the Importance Of this
factor. The greatest commercial nations,
our competitors, jealousy foster their
merchant marine
I alluded to this most important sub
ject in my last annual message. II has
often been before you. and ] need not
reeapitulate the reasons for its recon.
mendation Unless prompt action be
taken, the completion of the Panama
canal will find this the only great com
mercia nation unable to avail in inter
national maritime business Of this great
contribution to the means Of the worlds
commercial intercourse.
For many reasons cannot too strong
lv urge upon the Congress the passage
OF a measure by mail subsidy or other
subvention adequate 20 guarantee the
establishment and rapid development of
an American merchant marine, the res
toration of the American flag 70 its an-
eient place upon the seas.