Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-19
Will Urge Congress to Begin
Panama Canals Defense.
FOR TWO DREADN0UGHTs
President Favors Construction of
More Big Battleships.
DAILY MEETINGS OF CABINET
Informal Conferences Will Be Al
most Continuous During Week
Beginning Next Monday.

BEVERLY. Mass, September 19.-Be
fore leaving Beverly for Boston last night
by automobile to take the midnight train
for New Haven and Cincinnati. President
Taft announced that in his message to
Congress in December he will recommend
the appropriation of 100000 to begin
the work Of terrifying the Panama canal.
Mr.. Taft has always favored the protec-
ton of the canal with great guns, and
he thinks the time has arrived to begin
the work.
The President also will recommend to
Congress that provision be made for two
new battleships of the dreadnought type.
Mr.. Taft does not believe that the econ
omy plans should preclude the construc-
ton OF at least two battleships a year
until such time as the Panama canal is
completed. He believes that the canal
will have the effect of doubling the eff
ficiency of the navy, and that after Is
in operation the building of new battle
ships can be cut down to one a year.
1t was further learned that the admins
tration in connection with the fertilization
of the canal also is thinking Of establish
ing strong naval, base on Guantanamo
Island, near Cuba. Secretary of the Navy
Meyer will soon take a trip to Guam
ditions there. 1t is the opinion of navy
experts that future wars in which this
country may be engaged, If they ever
come will be fought out in the neighbor-
hood of the Panama canal and it is in
connection with this opinion that Secre-
tary Meyer is looking toward Guantanamo
as affording a base for an American
fleet.
Treaty With Newfoundland.
OF almost equal interest with the news
of the Presidents attitude toward the
fertilization of the canal was the an
nouncement of the likelihood of the nego-
tiations Of a reciprocity treaty between
this country and Newfoundland. Charles
Pepper the American tariff expert. is in
Newfoundland now Investigating the
tariff question with a view to opening
negotiations. The drawing of this treaty
efforts that are now being put forth to
effect a similar trade agreement with
Canada. Newfoundland is separate
government. 1t is understood that the
prospects of favorable negotiations with
Newfoundland are as bright as they are
In the case Of Canada
The President will reach Washington
next Sunday. September %. The cabinet
will begin a series of daily meetings on
the morning of Monday. September 20 1t
Is expected that the cabinet will meet
with the President probably every day
while he is In Washington. Most of the
members of the cabinet will be the Presi-
dents guests at the White House, and in
formal meetings will be almost contin-
uous. Secretary Ballinger, it is said will
attend all of the meetings, and SO far as
Beverly is informed, the Ballnger case
will not be taken UP.
Economy to- Be Discussed. g 4.
Economy OF administration in all of the
departments will be one of the many sub
jects considered by the cabinet. Esti-
mates for the coming fiscal year also will
be considered at great length. The Pres
ident's Supreme Court appointments will
be discussed with his cabinet advisers,
although the President has announced
that he will not make these appointments
until after Congress is in session.
President Tafts last day before his de-
parture for Cincinnati was passed quietly
at the summer white house, where he
September day.
Secretary Norton will join the Presi-
dent at New Haven today and go with
him to Cincinnati The President will
reach Cincinnati Thursday afternoon. and
will remain there until Saturday, when
he leaves for Washington for a weeks
stay. He will return to Beverly October
for a fortnight, after which the sum-
mer white house will be closed and the
family will return to Washington.
Mrs. Taft will remain at Beverly during
the Presidents absence the present
trip.