The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1911-12-15

LSSaro 10 certain needful legislation for
the control OF our Interstate and foreign
traffic in opium and other mensciTg
drugs. quoted from my annual mes
sage OF December I. 1893, in which / an
t mio1nGe 6 mat the results Of the Interna-
IOhal opium commission held at Shang-
NJ. nal IN FEBRUARY, 1903. at the invitation Of
ne ne United States. had been laid before
SnB government: that the report Of that
EEoIhhllsslon showed that China was MAX
~ remarkable progress and admirable
0pium evii; that the interested govern
menus LII mad not permitted their CONNER
ciaI interests to prevent their co-opera-
uon IN this reform: and, as a result Of
c ,S,as.; Investigations Of the opium
question In this country, recommended
that the manufacture. sale and use Of
opium In the United States should be
more vigorously controlled by legislation.
Prior 10 that time and in continuation
cure the cooperation Of the Interested
nations. the United States proposed an
INTERNATIONAL opiuIa conference with full
powers for the purpose of clothing with
the force Of international law the reso-
buttons adopted by the aforementioned
e efoI together with their essen
cerned cordially responded to the pro-
posaI or this government and. am glad
20 De able to announce. representatives
at The Hague on the first Of this month.
Foreign Trade Relations Of the United
states.
In my last annual message I referred
to the tariff negotiations of the depart
ment Of state with foreign countries in
connection with the application, by a Sc
RES OF proclamstions OF the minimum
tarin OF the United States to importa-
tons from the several countries and !
stated that, in its general operation. sec
uon or the new taTim law had proved
guaranty of continued commercial
peace, although there were unfortunate
INSTANCES vrh -
dealt arbitrarily with American interests
within their Jurisdiction in a manner In
furious and inequitable. During the past
year some Instances Of discrimina tory
treatment have been removed. but l re-
greet to say that there remain few
cases of differential treatment adverse to
the commerce Of the United States While
none of these instances now appears to
amount to undue discrimination in the
sense Of section OF the tariff law Of
August 5, 1909. they are all exceptions 10
that complete degree of equality Of tar
III treatment that the department OF
state has consistently sought to obtain
for American commerce abroad.
While the double tariff feature Of the
tariff law OF 1879 has been amply tusti-
fed by the results achieved In removing
former and preventing new. undue dis
ordinations against American commerce.
It is believed that the time has come for
the amendment Of this feature of the law
In such way as to provide a graduated
discriminatory treatment Of American
commerce In foreign countries as we'll as
70 protect the financial interests abroad
and injurious treatment on the part Of
foreign governments through either leg
islatiye or administrative measures.
1t would seem desirable that the maxi
embrace within its purview the free list
which Is not the case at the present time
in order that II might have reasonable
countries from which the importatiSns
into the United States are confined vir-
tuaily TO articles on the free list.
The fiscal year ended June %. 1911.
shows great progress In the development
OF American trade. It was noteworthy
as marking the highest record OF exports
Of American products TO foreign coun-
81 o01. c0o. ooo These exports showed a
gain over The preceding year OF more
Crying Need for American Merchant
Marine.
I need hardly reiterate the conviction
that there should speedily be built up an
American merchant marine. This is nee
essary TO assure favorable transp0rta-
ton facilities to our great ocean-borne
commerce as we'll as TO supplement the
navy with an adequate reserve OF ships
and men. II would have the economic ad-
vantage Of keeping at home part OF the
vast sums now paid foreign shipping for
carrying American goods. All the great
commercial nations pay heavy subsidies
to their merchant marine, so that II Is
obvious that without some wise aid from
the congress the United States must lag
behind in the matter Of merchant marine
in Its present anomalous position.
legislation to facilitate the extension
Of American banks TO foreign countries is
another matter in which our foreign
trade needs assistance.
With these factors and the continuance
Of the toreign-servics established depart
10 q n
the high plane where IL has been placed
by the recent REORGANIZATION this gov
eminent would be abreast OF the times
in fostering the interests OF its foreign
trade. and the rest must be left TO the
energy and enterprise Of our business
men.
of the Foreign Service.
The entire foreign-service organization
Is being improved and developed with
regard to the requirements of
the commercial interests OF the country
The rapid growth OF our foreign trade
makes Il OF the utmost Importance that
agencies through which
that trade il TO be sidsd and protected
should possess a high degree OF eff
cheney. Not only should the foreign rep
be maintained upon q gen
erous scale In so far as salaries and es-
are concerned, but the Sc
lection and advancement of officers
should be definitely and permanently reg
not fan to attract men OF high character
and ability. The experience Of the past
few years with a partial application OF
civil service rules TO the diplomatic and
service leaves no doubt in my
mind OF the wisdom Of q wider and more
permanent extension OF those principles
10 both branches Of the foreign service.
I therefore again commend to the IA
yorable action OF the congress the enact
ment OF a law applying TO the diplomatic
and consular service the principles erar
BODIED In section iT5s OF the Revised Stat
utes Of the United States, in the civil!
service act of January Is. 1850 and the
executive orders OF June q, 1906, and Of
November Is. 1903 In its consideration o.
This important subject desire to recall
TO the attention OF the congress the very
favorable report made on the Iowden
SIN for the improvement OF the
foreign service by the foreign
affaiTs committee Of the house Of repre-
sen<afiyes Available statistics show thai
The strictness with which the merit sys,
tern has ben applied to the foreign sery.
Ica during recent years and the absolute
selection OF conSuls and |
service Aecretaries who indeed |
FAR from being selected with any view
to political confederation have actually
been chosen 10 q dtspropoTtionate extent
from states which would have been IN
in the foreign service under |
ne system which Il lie to be hoped Is nov
obsolete. Some legislArior
For the perpetuatiou Of the present sys,
tenn OF examinations and promotions upor
merit and efficiency would be OF Creates
value 20 our commercial and information /
FrNa