Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-12-03
In First Message to Congress
President Discusses Only
Foreign Relations.

the white house this communication
was comparatively short and was lin
tied to the discussion of one subject.
other MESA ges, dealing with other top
les, will follow probably a week apart.
The president stated that the rela-
tions of the United States with all for
eign powers were at present maintained
on a basis of peace harmony and
friendship" He pleaded, however, for
an extension of the diplomatic system,
stating that congress should fully real
ize the conditions which obtain in the
world as we stand on the threshold of
our middle age as a nation"
Asks Elastic Tariff.
Many important suggestions were
made to congress in the presidents
message chief among these was his
espousaI of more elastic tariff meas
ure for use in dealing with foreign
countries, showing discrimination
against the products of American man
ufacturers
President Taft stated that the adj
iustment of trade relations with for
eign governments under section of
the tariff law of 1909 had conclusively
shown that their scope should be wild
ened so as to enable the executive to
apply, as the case may require, to all
commodities. whether or not on the free
list from country which discriminates
against the United States, graduated
scale of duties up to the maximum of
= ~ pH nv he
present law.
The president stated that fiat tariffs
were out of date" and could not too
strongly recommend" this proposed
amendment to the consideration of
congress.
Still For Dollar Diplomacy.
Most of the presidents message was
| devoted to the existing relations be-
| tween the United States and her sister
republics of North and South America.
In this connection the president dwelt
upon his pet theme of dollar diplomacy
reiterating his oft repeated statement
| that this means of invading the small
er automonies of the Americas not only
| worked great benefit to both the Amer
| lean bankers interested and the repub-
lies reCeiving-the loan, but strengthened
the position of the United States
through the limitation of large for
eign loans, which might cause an in
ternational discussion of the Monroe
doctrine
AS a direct slap at the enemies Of the
loan convention in the United States
senate, the president stated that it was
/ his opinion that the terrible loss of life
in Nicaragua could have been prevent
ed had the department Of state been
permitted through the approval of a
loan convention by the senate, to carry
out its policy of encouraging financial
aid to weak Central American states
For Merit Diplomatic System.
In developing the department of state
abroad. the president said no more i'm
portant step had been made than the
establishment of the merit system. He
closed his recommendation on this sub
ject by adjuring congress to enact leg
islatlon making it permanent. The
larger provision for the maintenance of
foreign embassies was also asked for.
Particularly was he in favor of the pro-
permanent quarters for United States
ministers abroad. In commenting on
this subject, he stated that it was "in-
deed high time that the dignity and
power Of this great nation be fttinely
signalized by proper buildings for the
occupancy of the nations representa-
tives everywhere abroad"
The president touched upon the Mex
lean policy followed by the United
States in the recent difficulties which
the continued state of unrest in that
nation engendered. He characterized
the action of the United States in these
crises as "one of patient on-interven-
ton and steadfast recognition of con-
sttuted authority" ending his refer
ence to Mexico with the hope that the
Mexican nation would soon resume
the path of order prosperity and prog
ress"
Agricultural Credits important.
Among other matters referred TO in
the message was the Investigation Of
agricultural credits by the state de-
partment This he termed as one of
the most important works undertaken
by the government.
He also referred to the fur seal
treaty and the need for an amendment
to the present statute; the peace treat
les with England and France which
were lost through the refusal of senate
ratification and the dispatch of Ameri-
can war ships Of Constantinople The
English and French peace treaties Pres
ident Taft dismissed with remark ex-
pressing his regret over the action of
the senate, and the Balkan situation he
regarded as one which was well In the
hands of the powers as far as the pro-
lection of citizens of other republics
was concerned
President Taft today sent special
message TO congress recommending an
appropriation to continue the intena-
tional waterways committee during
1913, to permit it TO make final re-
port on a dam at the outlet of Lake
Erie and TO complete the work of fix