New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-04

washington, Dec 3.-President Tafts
FIRST message to the last session
Of Congress in his term was received
with close attention in both branches
when legislative business began to-
day. Dealing entirely with foreign re-
lations and Americas commercial
progress in foreign trade. the message
paved the way for others the CHER
Executive will send later dealing with
the big questions of legislation and
government.
Mr.. Taft's message was as follows:
To the Senate and House of Representa-
tives.
The foreign relations OF the United
States actually and potentially a1ect the
state Of the Union to a degree not widely
realized and hardly surpassed by any
other factor in the welfare Of the whole
nation. The position of the United States
in the moral. intellectual and material
relations OF the family OF nations shoniu
be a matter of vital interest to every pa
triotic citizen. The national prosperity
and power impose upon us duties when
we cannot shirk IL we are TO be true 10
our ideals. The tremendous growth OF
the export trade Of the United States mas
already made that trade very real rae
tor in the industrial and commercial pros
perity Of the country. With the develop
ment of our industries the foreign COM
merce of the United States must rapidly
become a still more essential factor In It's
economic welfare. Whether we have
far.seeing and wise diplomacy and are
not recklessly plunged into unnecessary
wars. and whether our foreign policies
are based upon an intelligent grasp OF
present day world conditions and clear
view Of the potentialities of the future or
arc governed by a temporary and umio
expediency or by narrow views penttlhs
an infant nation. are questions In the al
Tentative consideration of which must
convince any thoughtful citizen that no
department of national polity oHefs
greater opportunity for promoting the Ill
terests of the whole people on the one
hand, or greater chance on the otner OF
permanent national Injury, than that
which deals with the foreign relations oil
the United States.
United States should be raised high above
the conflict of craftsmanship and wholly
ASSOCIATED from differences as to domes-
tic policy. In its foreign AFFAIRS the
United States should present to the world
a united front. The intellectual, nnanclal
and industrial interests OF the country
and the publicist. the wage Garner, the
farmer and citizen, of whatever occupa-
ton, must cooperate in spirit or hlgh
patriotism 10 promote that national soil
darity which is indispensable to national
efficiency and TO the attainment of ma
tional ideals.
The relations of the United States with
all foreign powers remain upon SOUND
basis of peace. harmony and f1enoship'
A greater insistence upon justice 70
American citizens or interests wherever
II may have been denied and stronger
emphasis Of the need OF mutuahty III
commercial and other relations nave only
served to strengthen our friendships with
foreign countries by placing those frieho-
ships upon q firm foundation OF realities
as well as aspirations.
Before briefly reviewing the more I'M
portant events Of the last year in our
foreign relations. which it is my duty TO
do as charged with their conduct and be-
cause diplomatic affairs are not OF
nature TO make it appropriate that the
Secretary Of state, make formal annual
report. desire to touch upon some OF the
essentials TO the safe management OF the
foreign relations Of the United States ana
to endeavor, also. to define clearly certain
concrete policies which are the logical
modern corollaries Of the undisputed ana
traditional fundamentals Of the foreign
policy Of the United States.