The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1911-02-19
Nu SETTLE POTASH DISPI RE-.
Amendment to the Pure Food Law Pro.
posed b, senator Curtis Of kansas.

WASHINGTON. Feb. Is Senator Curtis
Of Kansas to-day discussed his bill to
amend the fourth section of the pure
food act. which authorizes the President
to protect our people and tn cir invest
ments in foreign countries. The Senator
SAID that recent events showed that the
hill was Of much more importance than
was at first supposed The potash and
other disturbing questions could Toe
settled under the law if amended as he
desired. The bill Is in the hands of the
Secretary of State for u report" said SEN
ator Curtis. -and it will be sent to the
committee soon.
The matter is of much lmpo rtance
and believe it will be good plan for the
public To look into II
Tn" amendment Is a. follows
That whenever 'hc Presdcn' shall be
-a' i-fod iEat any foreign state, in violation
of it, treaty obligations to the nited States
shall seek by reprcs..v.. discriminatory
or "on'iscatory measures 10 icaopardi2a
impair or destroy tie "auita, of citizens
of tn. | uitnd States lrgitmutcly invested
in such foreign state IN accordance with
treaty pro, l~o~ he may direct th"' such
products of such foreign Sat" a. he NAV
deem yrop"r shall be excluded from impol-
tarion to the niied States and in such
case he shall make proc'amat OF
his direction III the premises and therein
name th" tImr when such dIreCt,o AGAINST
importation shall take eject. and after such
date the importation Of the articles named
IN such PROCLAMATION shall ba unlawful
TIE President may u, any time revoke
modify, terminal" or renew any such di-
r.c'iun as in his opinion the public ini"res,
NAV REQUIRE
The following article was quoted bv
the senator from treaty between the
United States and a foreign state and is
applicable to the ma iority of International
treaties Of amity and commerce;
Their" shall h. b"tween the territories
OF the nigh contracting parties a reciprocal
liberty ui commerce and navigation The
inhabitants Of their respective state shall
mu' ually haze iiheriv 20 enter ihe ports.
places and rivers of the territories of each
party whenever foreign commerce is per
mittri They shall be a liberty to soIouln
and reside m all parts whatsoever OF said
territories, IN order TO attend to their
commercial Affairs and they shall enjoy
| to that effect, the same security. protection
| and privileges as natives of III" country
" herein they reside. on condition Of their
suhT it,irg 10 the laws and ordinances
| her" prevailing
The amendment" said Senator Curtis,
/ is intended to strengthen the President
/ in dealing with acute crises. where Ameri-
can capital invested in property or com
! merco abroad in accordance with treaty
provisos, is n"naced with confscation
or with oppressive and discrim mlnatory
"xactionS destructive Of its industrial per
man"ncy through the arbitrary action
/ of foreign State and which action. in
Ia" Judgment of the President, il in clear
contrav"ntion Of treaty obligations. Al
present neither the Executive. Depart
ment ~ State. nor any Of the great de-
partin.nts Of the United States Govern
mnnt hav" any authority tn guard Ameri-
can capital invested abroad under treat y
guarantees hcyond dignlfied diplomatic
remOn1tranCe.
Senator Curtis saws that discretionary
power should he given To the Executive
in thcs" acute cases to threaten and en-
fore" a retaliatory industrial policy. He
added
"Ih" exercise of this much needed dis 70
crctiOnary power would he exceedingly
rare, whll" tn" mere possession Of it would
naturally he "A most effective deterrent tn
illegal and lnaqIitahl" attacks on Amer-
can Investments abroad The measure
Is entirely prot"ctiv" III character and in
motive; - non partisan, non scot onal and
non political, and should become law in
the near future"