Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1911-12-21

with the United States simultaneously
with its negotiations with the other pow
ers There were a number of important
questions involved In the treaty. includ-
ing the immigration OF laborers, revision
OF the customs tariff and the right of
Americans 10 hold real estate I'm Japan
The United States consented TO waive all
technlcalties and to enter at once upon
negotiations for a new treaty on the I'M
Outstanding that there should be con-
tinuance throughout the life OF the treaty
OF the same effective measures for the
restriction OF immigration OF laborers to
American territory which had been In
operation with entire satisfaction TO both
governments since 1908. The japanese
government accepted this basis OF nego-
tiation. and new treaty was quickly
concluded, resulting I'm 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.
at which II need no longer be regarded
with concern. The Ottoman empire was
occupied for period by strife in AL
ana f6s a. RaTap tba
disquieting potentiaities of this situation
have been more or less felt. Persia has
been the scene Of long internal strng-
cause OF uneasiness in European diplo-
macy, but thus far without direct politi-
cal concern TO the United States.
In the war which unhapply exists be-
tween Italy and Turkey this government
has no direct political Interest and
took occasion at the suitable time to is
sue a 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-SeaI 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
jects 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 10 the necessity for legislation on
the part OF the United States for the pur-
pose OF fulfilling the obligations assumed
under this convention TO which the SEN
ate gave it's advice and consent on the
twenty-fourth day OF July last
international Opium Commission.
In special message transmitted to the
congress on the seventh Of January. 1911.
In which / concurred in the recommended
tons made by the secretary OF state In
regard TO certain needful legislation for
the control OF our interstate and foreign
traffic In opium and other menacing
drugs, quoted from my annual mes
sage or December Z. 1909, In which l an
nounced that the results OF the Interna-
tonal Opium commission held al Shang-
mai In February, 1909 al the invitation or
the United States. had been laid before
this government: that the report OF that
commission showed that China was max
Ing remarkable progress and admirable
enorts towdrd the eradication OF the
opium evil. that the interested govern
ments had not permitted their CONNER
cla! interests TO prevent their co-opera-
ton In this reform; and. az result or
callateral Investigations OF the opium
question In this country. / 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
or the policy OF this government TO Sc.
cure the cooperation OF the interested
nations. the United States proposed an
international opium conference with fu,l
powers for the purpose OF clothing with
the force, OF interna tpnal Jaw the reso-
lutions adopted by the aforementioned
f.nmlssinn together Win th5r essen sen
cerned cordially responded TO the pro-
posal OF this government. and | am glad
70 be able to announce; representatives
or all the powers assembled In conference
az 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
ries OF proclamations. of the minimum
tariff Of the United States TO importa-
tons from the several countries and
stated that; In its general operation. sec,
ton 2 OF the new tariff law had proved
guaranty OF continued commercial
peace although there were. unfortunate
ly. Instances where foreign governments
dealt arbitrarily with American interests
within their jurisdiction in 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 differential treatment adverse 10
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
irf 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 jusu-
fed by The results achieved in removing
former and preventing new, undue d's-
ordinations against American commerce.
IN is believed that the time has come Tor
the amendr3ent of this feature OF the law
in such way TO provide graduated
means Of meeting varying degrees OF
commerce In foreign countries as well as
TO protect the financial interests abroad
of American citizens against arbitrary
and injurious treatment on the part or
foreign governments through either leg
islative or administrative measures.
II 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 n might have reasonable
significance TO the governments OF those
countries from which the importations
into the United States are confined vir-
tually 10 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 re sord OF exports
OF American products to foreign coun-
tries. the valuation being in excess OF
81 600 COO 900. These exports showed
gain over the preceding year OF more
than 5000 100000
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
ton facilities TO our great ocean borne
commerce as we'll as to supplement the
navy with an adequate reserve OF ships
and men. IL would have the economic adj
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
obvfOus that without some wise aid from