Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1911-12-14
international Opium Commission.


drugs. quoted from my annual mes
sage OF December 7. 1909 in which I an
nounced that the results of the Interna-
uonal Opium commission held at Shang-,
nal In February. 1909. at the invitation of
the United States. had been laid before
this government: that the report OF that
commission showed that China was maxi
ing remarkable progress and admirable
efforts toward the eradication OF the
opium evil: that the Interested govern
ments had not permitted their CONNER
ton In this reform; and. result OF
collateral 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 to that time and in continuation
OF the policy Of this government to Sc
cure the cooperation Of the interested
nations. the United States proposed an
international opium conference with fun
powers for the purpose Of clothing with
lutions adopted by the above mentioned
commission together with their essen
tial corolories. The other powers con-
cerned cordially responded to the pro-
posal OF this government, and. am glad
TO be able to announce. representatives
OF all the powers assembled in conference
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
ries OF proclamations of the minimum
tarin Of the United States to importa-
lions from the several countries. and /
stated that. In Its general operation. sec
guaranty OF continued commercial
peace. although there were. unfortunate
dealt arbitrarily with American interests
within their jurisdiction in a manner in
furious and inequitable. During the past
year some instances Of discri minatory
treatment have been removed but / re-
gret to say that there remain a 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 2 of the tariff law Of
August 5 1909 they are all exceptions to
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 1909 has been amply justi-
fed by the results achieved in removing
former and preventing new, undue dis
ordinations against American commerce.
the amendment OF this feature OF the law
| in such way as to provide a graduated
means Of meeting varying degrees OF
| commerce In foreign countries as we'll a.
| to protect the financial interests abroad
| OF American citizens against arbitrary
! and injurious treatment on the part oil
| 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 its purview the free list
which is not the case at the present time
| in order that II might have reasonable
significance to the governments OF those
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. II was noteworthy
as marking the highest record OF exports
| OF American products to foreign coun
tries. the valuation being in excess o.
| 50 N00. ca. 900 These exports showed
gain over the preceding year OF more
than $500 100000.
Crying Need for American Merchant
Marine.
need hardly reiterate the conviction
that there should speedily be built up al
| American merchant marine. This is nee
essary to assure favorable transporta
ton facilities to our great ocean born
navy with an adequate reserve of ship
and men. It would have the economic ad
vantage OF keeping at home part OF tn
vast sums now paid foreign shipping 10
carrying American goods. All the grea
commercial nations pay heavy subsidie
to their merchant marine. so that i
/
the congress the United States must la
behind in the matter OF merchant marin
in its present anomalous position.
Legislation to facilitate the extensio
| OF American banks to foreign countries
| another matter in which our foreig
! trade needs assistance.
With these factors and the continuanc
of the foreign-service established depart
mental, diplomatic anc consular upo
| by the recent REORGANIZATION this gov
eminent would be abreast OF the time
in fostering the interests OF its foreig
trade and the rest must be left TO tn
energy and enterprise OF our bushes
men.
Improvement Of the Foreign Service
The entire foreign-service organizatio
is being improved and developed wit
especial regard to the requirements O
the commercial interests of the country
The rapid growth OF our foreign trad
makes II OF the utmost Importance tina
governmental agencies through whic
that trade is to be aided and protecte
| should possess a high degree OF eff
cheney. Not only should the foreign REP
resentatives be maintained upon a ger
erous scale in so far as salaries and es
adjustments are concerned, but the sc
should be definitely and permanently res
ulated by law. SO that the service sha
not fail TO attract men OF high charaete
and ability. The experience OF the pas
few years with partial application {
civil service rules to the diplomatic an
consular service leaves no doubt in m
mind OF the wisdom OF wider and NOR
permanent extension OF those principle
TO both branches OF the foreign service.
I therefore again commend to the Is
yorable action OF the congress the enact
ment OF a law applying TO the diplomat
and consular service the principles en-
bodied in section 1888 OF the Revised Stat
utes of the United States, In the civ
service act OF January l6, 1888, and tn
executive orders OF June q. 1906. and c
November Is 1909 In its consideration {
this important subject 1 desire to reca
to the attention OF the congress the yer
favorable report made on the Lowde
bill for the improvement OF tn
| foreign service by the foreig
affairs committee OF the house OF repre-
sentatives Available statistics show this
the strictness with which the merit sys
tenn has ben applied to the foreign sery
Ice during recent years and the absolut
non-partisan selection of consuls an
| Diplomatic service secretaries who indee
far from being selected with any vie'
to political consideration have actual
been chosen TO disproportionate exter
from states which would have been ur
represented In the foreign service undo
the system which II Is to be hoped is no
permanently obsolete. Some legislatio
for the perpetuation OF the present sly,
tenn OF examinations and promotions upo
merit and efficiency would be OF create.
value to our commercial and Information
! al interests.