Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1911-12-15

OF the same effective measures for the
restriction of immigration or laborers to
American territory which had been in
operation with entire satisfaction to both
governments since 1908 The Japanese
tiation, and a new treaty was quickly
concluded, resulting in highly satisfac-
tory settlement of the other questions re-
ferred to.
Europe and the Near East.
In Europe and the near east during the
past twelVe-month. there has been at
times considerable political unrest. The
Moroccan question, which for some
months was the cause of great anxiety.
happily appears to have reached a stage
at which it need no longer be regarded
with concern. The ottoman empire was
occupied for period by strife in AL
Greece and the Balkan countries the
disqueting potentialites Of this situation
have been more or less felt Persia has
been the scene of a long internal strug-
gle. These conditions have been the
cause Of uneasiness in European diplo-
macy, but thus far without direct pollti-
cal concern to the United States
In the war which unhappily exists be-
tween Italy and Turkey this government
has no direct political interest, and I
took occasion at the suitable time to Is.
sue proclamation of neutrality In that
conflict At the same time all necessary
steps have been taken to safeguard the
personal interests OF American citizens
and organizations in so far as affected
by the war.
Fur-Seal Treaty.
The fur-seal controversy, which for
nearly twenty-five years has been the
source of serious friction between the
United States and the powers bordering
upon the north Pacific ocean, whose sub
lects have been permitted to engage in
pelagic sealing against the fur-seal herds
having their breeding grounds within the
jurisdiction of the United States has at
last been satisfactorily adjusted by the
conclusion of the North Pacific sealing
convention entered into between the
United States, Great Britain, Japan and
Russia on the seventh of July last
The attention of congress Is especially
called TO the necessity for legislation on
Ihe part OF the United States for the pur,,
pose OF fulfilling the obligations assumed
under this convention. to which the sen
ate gave its advice and consent on the
tWenty-fourth day of July last
international Opium Commission.
In a special message transmitted to the
congress on the seventh OF January 1911.
In which | concurred in the recommends
lions made by the secretary of state In
regard TO certain needful legislation Tor
the control of our interstate and foreign
traff1c in opium and other menacing
drugs. quoted from my annual mes
sage or December 7, 1909, in which l an
nounced that the results OF the Interna-
uonal Opium commission held at Shang-
mai In February. 1909, at the invitation OF
the United States, had been laid before
this government; that the report of that
showed tIaI C0lnd was
ing remarkable progress and admirable
eHorts toward the eradication OF the
opium evil; that the interested govern
ments had not permitted their CONNER
clal interests to prevent their co-opera-
uon In this reform; and, a result or
callatera! Investigations OF the opium
question In this country, l recommended
that the manufacture. sale and use or
opium in the United States should be
more vigorously controlled by legislation.
Prior to that time and in continuation
n Il. - 10 .A-
cure the operation OF the Interested
nations. the United States proposed an
international opium conference with full
powers for the purpose of clothing with
the force of international law the reso-
luuons adopted by the above mentioned
commission. together with their essen
tial corollories; The other powers con-
cerned cordially responded to the pro-
posal or this government and. am glad
TO be able to announce representatives
OF All the powers assembled in conferences
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 tarifr negotiations Of the depart
ment OF state with foreign countries In
connection with the application. by a Sc
ries OF proclamations, Of the minimum
tariff OF the United States to imperta-
tons from the several countries, and
stated that, In its general operation. sec
ton OF the new tariff law had proved
u guaranty VI continued COfnIneTCidl
peace, although there were, unfortunate
ly. instances where foreign governments
dealt arbitrarily with American interests
within their Jurisdiction in a manner in
furious and inequitable. During the past
year some instances of discriminatory
treatment have been removed. but re-
greet to say that there remain few
cases of dfferential treatment adverse TO
the commerce Of the United States. While
none OF these instances now appears to
amount to undue discrimination in the
~ 1f ~ rtf Las -
August 5, 1909. they are all exceptions to
that complete degree OF equality OF tar
in 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 1909 has been amply justi-
fed by the results achieved in removing
former and preventing new undue dis
ordinations against American commerce.
ii Is believed that the time has come for
the amendment OF this feature Of the law
In such way as to provide graduated
means of meeting varying degrees OF
discriminatory treatment OF American
commerce in foreign countries as well
to protect the financial interests abroad
of American citizens against arbitrary
and injurious treatment on the part of
foreign governments through either leg
islative or administrative measures.
1t would seem desirable that the maxi
mum tariff of the United States should
embrace within It's pUrview the free list.
which is not the case at the present time
in order that IT might have reasonable
significance to the governments of those
countries from which the importations
into the United States are confined vir-
tually to articles on the free list.
The fiscal year ended June 30. 1911
shows great progress in the development
of American trade IT was noteworthy
marking the highest record of exports
of American products to foreign coun-
tries, the valuation being In excess Of
s., 900, COO 600. These exports showed q
gain over the preceding year OF more
than $500 900. 900.
Crying Need for American Merchant
Marine.
I need hardly relterate the conviction
that there should speedily be built up an
American merchant marine. This is nee
essary to assure favorable transporta-
ton facilities to our great ocean borne
commerce well as to supplement the
navy with an adequate reserve of ships
and men. IT 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, that 1t 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.
Improvement of the Foreign Service.
The entire foreign-service organization
is being improved and developed with
especial regard to the requirements of
the commercial interests OF the country