The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-12-08

otaSo0.
In my last annual message I refer.
red to the tariff negotiations Of tho do.
partment Of state with foreign eouu-
tries In connection with the sppiica-
ton, by a series of proclamations, Of
the minimum tariff Of the Urttsd
States to importations from the se<.
eral countries, and / stated that In it,
general operation section 2 Of the new
tariff law had proved a guaranty Of
continued commercial peace, although
there were, unfortunately, instances
where foreign governments dealt ar.
bitrarily with American interests with.
in their jurisdiction in a manner in.
furious and ineQuitable. During the
past year some instances OF discrimi-
natory treatment have been removed.
but l regret to say that there remain a
few cases Of diferential treatment ad.
verse to the commerce Of the United
States. While none of these instances
now appears to amount to undue dis
elimination in the sense Of section 2
Of the tariff law Of Aug. 5, 1909, they
are all exceptions to that complete de-
SiS0 VI OAuhlAt VI I4Tlu IT60lu10ut
that the department Of state has con.
sistently sought to obtain for Ameri-
can commerce abroad.
While the double tariff feature OF the
tariff law Of 1909 has been amply Justi.
fed by the results achieved in remov.
ing former and preventing new undue
determinations against American COM
merce, it is believed that the time has
come tor the amendment Of this fea.
ture of the law in such way a. to
provide a graduated means OF NEST
ing varying degrees Of discriminatory
treatment Of American commerce in
foreign countries as well as to pro.
tect the financial interests abroad Of
American citizens against arbitrary
and injurious treatment on the part OF
foreign governments through either
legislative or administrative measures.
1t would also seem desirable that
the maximum tariff Of the United
States should embrace within ito pur-
view the free list, which 10 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 virtually
to articles on the free list.
Record Of Highest Amount q Fersisn
Trade.
The fiscal year ended June 80, 1911.
shows great progress in the develop.
ment of American trade. II vas note
worthy al marking the highest record
Of exports Of American products to
foreign countries. the valuation being
In excess Of $2.o0o,Ooo.oo0. These Z
ports showed a gain over the proceed.
ing year Of more than 30oo.Oo0.o00.
I need hardly reiterate the convic.
ton that there should speedily be built
up nh American merchant marine. This
is necessary to assure favorable trans.
portation facilities to our great cea
borne commerce as we'll as to supple
ment the navy with an adequate re-
serve Of ships and It would
have the economic advantage Of keep
ing at home part Of the vast sums now
paid foreign shipping for carrying
American goods. All the great COM
mercial nations pay heavy subsidies to
their merchant marine, so that 1t Is
obvious that without some wise aid
from the congress the United States
must lag behind in the matter of msr-
chant marine in its present anomalous
position.
Extension Of American Banking to Fer.
| eisn Countries.
Legislation to facilitate the extension
Is another matter in which u foreign
trade needs assistance.
improvement Of the Foreign ssrvlss.
The entire foreign service organisa.
ton is being improved and developed
with especial regard to the require
ments of the commercial interests Of
the country. The rapid growth Of our
foreign trade makes It Of the utmost
importance that governmental agen-
cies through which that trade is to be
aided and protected should possess a
high degree Of efficiency. Not only
should the foreign representatives be
maintained upon a generous scale IN
go far as salaries and esta hlishments
are concerned, but the selection and
advancement Of officers should be den-
nitely and permanently regulated by
law so that the service shall not fail
to attract men Of high character
and ability. -" It is my ear
nest conviction that the enactment
into law Of the general principles Of
the existing regulations cannot fail to
effect further improvement In both
branches Of the foreign service by pro.
viding greater inducement for young
men Of character and ability to seek
a career abroad in the service Of the
government and an incentive to those
already in the service to put forth
greater efforts to attain the high
standards which the successful conduct
Of u international relations and
commerce requires.
I therefore again commend to the
favorable action Of the congress the
enactment Of a law applying to the
diplomatic and consular service the
principles embodied In section 17S8 of
the revised statutes Of the Cpited
States in the civil service act Of Jan.
IL. 1883, and the executive orders Of
June 81, 1906, and of Nov. 26, 1900. In
its consideration Of this important sub.
ject l desire to recall to the attention
Of the congress the very favorable re.
port made on the Lowden bill for tile
improvement of the foreign service by
the foreign affairs committee Of the
house Of representatives. Available