The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1912-12-05
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Was Read in Both the House oi
Congress Tuesday :, the
Same Hour


FOREIGN RELATIONS DISCUSSED
President Stated That the Relation.
Of the United stat~~ With All For-
elgn Powers Were nj Present on =
Basis Of Peace. Harmony. and
Friendship. but Pleaded for an En-
tension OF the Diplomatic Tariff
Mc<aure for Dealing With Certain
Countries.
Washington. ID. c. Dec. 3-A mes
sage from President TAT, on the for
eign relations Of the United States
was read in both Houses OF Con-
gress to-day. This communication Was
limited to the discussion OF one sub
iect.
The President stated that the rela-
tions OF the United States with all
foreign powers were at present main
tanned on basis OF peace. harmony.
and friendship" He pleaded, how
ever, for an extension OF the diplo-
matte system, stating that Congress
should fully realize the conditions
which obtain In the world as we
stand on the threshold OF our middle
age as a nation"
Many important suggestions were
made TO Congress in the Presidents
Message. Chief among these was his
espousal OF a more elastic tariff meas
ure for use In dealing with foreign
countries showing discrimination
manufacturers.
President Taft stated that the ad-
justment OF trade relations with for
eign governments under Secion 2 of
the tariff law OF 1909 had conclusive
ly shown that their scope should be
widened so as to enable the Execu-
tive to apply. as the case may require.
to all commodities. whether or not
on the free list from a country which
discriminates against the United
States, o graduated scale Of duties up
to the maximum OF 25 per cent ad
valorem provided by the president
law.
The President stated that fiat
tariffs were out of date" and could
not too strongly recommend" this
proposed amendment TO the consider
alton OF Congress In this recon-
mendation the President said:
Nations no longer accord equal
-; oil
irrespective OF the treatment from
them received, and such a flexible
power as graduated scale OF duties
in the hands of the executive would
serve to moderate any unfavorable
tendencies on the part of those coun-
tries from which the importations in
to the United States are substantially
confined to articles on the free lists as
we'll as of the countries which find a
lucrative market in the United States
for their products under existing
relations between the United States
and her sister Republics OF North
and South America. In this connec-
ton the President dwelt upon his pet
theme of dollar diplomacy. reiterat-
ing his oft-repeated statement, that
this means OF invading the smaller
authorities of the Americans, not
only worked great benefit TO both the
American bankers interested and the
Republics receiving the loan. but
strengthened the position OF the Unit
ed States through the elimination OF
foreign loans, which might cause an
international discussion OF the Mon
roe doctrine.
AS q direct slap at the enemies OF
the loan convention in the United
States Senate, the President stated
that 1t was his opinion that he terri
BILE loss OF life in Nicaragua could
have been prevented had the Depart
ment OF State been permitted through
the approval OF a loan convention by
the Senate. to carry out its policy Of
encouraging financial aid 10 weaken
Central American States.
Special mention was made of the
necessity OF Strengthening the present
neutrality laws. the President sug-
costing an amendment TO this effect.
Such an amendment. he replied.
should be wide enough to cover the
possible necessity Of dealing with spe-
cial cases by the application OF spe-
cial laws. In this connection the
Chief Executive expressed the utmost
good will of this nation for her sister
Republic. stating that the present
policy OF the United States 10 pro-
mote prosperity and good feeling
among the smaller independencies
would be adhered TO.
In developing the Department OF
State abroad. the President said no
more important step had bene made
than the establishment of the merit
system. He closed his recommenda-
tion on this subject by adjuring Con-
gress to enact legislation making II