Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-07
Message President United Foreign Relations

Ines m connection with the applica-
ton, by series Of proclamations, Of
the minimum tariff of the United
States to importations from the sew
eral countries, and I stated that in its
general operation section Of the new
Iar1r law had proved guaranty OF
continued commercial peace, although
there were, unfortunately, instance
where foreign governments dealt ar
bitrarily with American interests with
In their Jurisdiction In a Hanner In
furious and inequitable During the
past year some instances Of discrimi-
natory treatment have been removed,
but regret to say that there remain
few cases of differential teatment 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
Of the tariff law Of Aug. 8, 1909, they
are all exceptions to that complete de-
gree Of equality of tariff treatment
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 for the amendment of this fea-
ture Of the law in such way as to
nroxldA cd aP
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 its pur-
view 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 virtually
| to articles on the free list.
FOREIGN TRADE.
The fiscal year ended June 80, 1911,
shows great progress in the develop
ment Of American trade 1t was note.
worthy as marking the highest record
| of exports Of American products to
foreign countries, the valuation being
in excess of $2,000,0O0,000. These ex-
| chnyua6 in
ing year of more than S300O00.000.
1 need hardly reiterate the convic
ton that there should speedily be bull
up an American merchant marine. Thi.
is necessary to assure favorable trans
| portation facilities to our great oceaI
| borne commerce as well as to suDple
ment the navy with an adequate re
serve of ships and men. 1t woul(
have the economic advantage of keep
ing at home part of the vast sums nov
paid foreign shipping for carryin;
American goods. All the great com
mercial nations pay heavy subsidies t,
their merchant marine, so that it i
obvious that without some wise ali
from the congress the United State
must lag behind in the matter of mer
chant marine in its present anomalou,
position.
Legislation to facilitate the extension
of American banks to foreign countries
is another matter in which our foreign
trade needs assistance.
The entire foreign service organiza
ton is being improved and developed
with especial regard to the require
ments Of the commercial interests OF
the country. The rapid growth of ou
foreign trade makes it of the utmos
Importance that governmental agen
cies through which that trade is to bt
aided and protected should possess
high degree Of efficiency. Not onl.
should the foreign representatives b,
maintained upon a generous scale il
SO far as salaries and establishment
are concerned, but the selection ant
advancement of officers should be def
nitely and permanently regulated b,
law SO that the service shall not fai
to attract men of high chara cite
and ability. 1t Is my ear
nest conviction that the enactmen
into law OF the general principles O
the existing regulations cannot fail t
effect further improvement in bot
branches of the foreign service by pre-
viding greater inducement for youn