The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-04
EUROPEAN POWERS WARNED
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 ->->-~->->~>>--~--~~-s~ ties, whether or not on the free list from u country which discriminates against the United States, a graduated scale of duties up to the maximum of 20 per cent ad Yalorem provided in the present law. Flat tariffs are out of date. Nations no longer accord equal tariff treatment to all other antions irrespective of the treat ment from them received. Such a fiex- lple power at the command of the exec ntive would serve to moderate any un- favorable tendencies on the part of those countries from which the importations into the United States are substantially confined to articles on the free list as well as of the countries which find luera- tive market in the United States for their products under existing customs rates. It is very necessary that the Amer iean government should be equipped witn weapons of negotiation adapted to mod ern economic conditions, in order that we may at all times be in position 10 gam not only technically just but actually equitable treatment for our trade, ana also for American enterprise and vested interests abroad
 Business Secured to Our Country
 As illustrating the commercial benefits to the nation derived from the new diplo- macy and it's effectiveness upon the ma teral as well as the more ideal side it may be remarked that through direct of fical efforts alone there have been ob- tained in the course of this administration contracts from foreign governments in- volving an expenditure of $50,0o0,000 in the factories of the United States. Con sideration of this fact and some reflection upon the necessary effects of a scientific tariff system and foreign service alert and equipped to cooperate with the busi- f,F Avf,a bR tion that the gratifying increase in the export trade of this country is, in sub stantal amount, due to our improved gov ernmental methods of protecting and stim- ulating it. It is germane to these ob- servations to remark that in the two years that have elapsed since the successful negotiation of onrs new treaty with Japan, which at the time seemed to present so many practical difficulties, our export trade to that country has increased at the rate of over si,000000 month. Our exports to Japan for the year ended June 30. 1910, was $2l,eo9,Sl0, while Tor the year ended June 30, 1912, the exports were s5s, 7s,0i6 a net increase in the sale of American products of nearly 150 per cent
 Arbitration With Great Britain
 Under the special agreement entered into between the United States and Great Britain oh August IS, 1910, for the arbitra- tion of outstanding pecuniary claims, a SCneuule or clalmS ana the teTInS Ol Suo- mission have been agreed upon by the two governments and together with the special agreement wefe approved by the Senate on July 19, 1911, but in accordance with the terms of disagreement they did not go into effect until confirmed by the two governments by an exchange of notes, which was done on April 26 last Ne gotiatiohs are still in progress for a sup plemental schedule of claims to be sub initted to arbitration under this agree ment, and meanwhile the necessary prep- arations for the arbitration of the claims included in the first schedule hays been undertaken and are being carried on un- der the authority of an appropriation made for that purpose at the last ses- sion of Congress. It is anticipated that the two governments will be prepared to call upon the arbitration tribunal, estab- lshed under this agreement to meet at Washington early next year to proceed with this arbitration.
 Fur Seal Treaty
 The act adopted at the last session of Congress to give effect to the fur-seal convention of July I, 1911 between Great Britain, Japan, Russia, and the United States provided for the suspension of all land killing of seals on the Pribilof 1sl- ands for a period of five years, and an objection has now been presented to this provision by the other parties in interest, which raises the issue as to whether or not this prohibition of land killing is in consistent with the spirit. if not the let ter, of the treaty stipulation. The justi- fication for establishing this close season depends, under the terms of the conven- ton, upon how far, if at all, it is neces- sary for protecting and preserving the American fur-seai herd and for increasing its number. This is question requiring examination of the present condition of ant ,l f,I7ft a1c in the light of actual exeprience and scientific investigation.
 careful examination of the subject is now being made and the government will soon be in possession of consid- erable amount of new information about the American seal herd which has been secured during the past season and-will be of great value in determining this question, and If it should appear that there is any uncertainty as to the real necessity for imposing close season at this time I shall take an early op- portunity to address special message to Congress on this subject, in the belief that this government should yield on this point rather than give the lightest ground for the charge that we have been in any way renliss In observing Sur treaty obligations.
 Settlement of Fisheries Dispute
 On the 20th of July last an agreement was concluded between the United tSates and Great Britain adopting. with certain notifications, the rules and method of procedure recommended in the awarAbrsn- dered by the North Atlantic CoaSE Fish cries Arbitration Tribunal on September [, 1910. for the settlement hereafter. in ac- cordance with the. principles laid down In the award, of question arising with reference to the exercise of the American fishing liberties under article 1 of the treaty of October 20, ISIS, between the United States and Great Britain. This agreement received the approval of the