The searchlight., 1912-12-06


total domestic exports having a valu-
alton approximately Of s2,200,000. 900.
as compared with a fraction over
$4,000, 100000 the previous year. II
- also significant that manufactured
and partly manufactured articles con-
unue to be the chief commodities form
ing the volume of'our augmented ex-
ports. the demands of our own people
for consumption requiring that an in
creasing proportion Of our abundant
agricultural products be kept at home.
In the fiscal year 1911 the exports Of
articles In the various stages Of man.
ufacture. not including foodstuffs part
ly or wholly manufactured, amounted
approximately to ss07 500, 900. In the
fiscal year 1912 the total was nearly
$l,022, 100000. a gain of S114,000. 900.
Advantage Of Maximum and Minimum
Tariff Provision.
The importance which our manufac-
lures have assumed In the commerce
Of the world in competition with the
manufactures OF other countries again
draws attention TO the duty of this
government to use its utmost endeav-
ors to secure impartial treatment for
American products in all markets.
Healthy commercial rivalry In inter
national intercourse is best assured
by the possession Of proper means
for protecting and promoting our
foreign trade. IL Is natural that
competitive countries should view
with some concern this steady
expansion OF our commerce. II in
some instances the measure taken by
them to meet II are not entirely eQui-
table. a remedy should be found. In
former messages have described the
negotiations Of the department OF
state with foreign governments for the
adjustment OF the maximum and min
imum tariff as provided In section
Of the tariff law OF 1909. The advan-
tages secured by the adjustment OF
our trade relations under this law
have continued during the last year.
and some additional cases Of discrim-
inatory treatment OF which we had
reason to complain have been re-
moved. The department Of state has
for the first time in the history OF
this country obtained substantial
Observation-Disclosures treatment from
all the countries OF the world. There
are, however. other instances which.
while apparently not constituting un-
due discrimination in the sense of
section 2, are nevertheless exceptions
to the complete equity OF tariff treat
ment for American products that the
department OF state consistently has
merce abroad.
Necessity for Supplementary Ieigsla-
lation.
These developments confirm the
opinion conveyed to you in my annual
message of 1911, that while the max
imum and minimum provision OF the
tariff law Of 1909 has been fully JUS
moving previously existing undue dis
ordinations against American prod
ucts. yet experience has shown that
this feature OF the law should be
amended In such way as to prevent
a fully effective means Of meeting
the varying degrees OF discriminatory
treatment OF American commerce In
foreign countries still encountered, as
well as to protect against Injurious
treatment on the part OF foreign gov
ernments. through either legislative
OF administrative measures, the finan-
cial interests abroad OF American cit
liens whose enterprises enlarge the
market for American commodities.
! can not too strongly recommend
to congress the passage OF some such
enabling measure as the bill which
was recommended by the secretary
Of state in his letter OF December IS,
1911. The object OF the proposed leg
islation is, in brief to en-
able the executive to apply.
as the case may require, to any
or all commodities. whether or not on
the free list from a country which
discriminates against the United
States. a graduated scale Of duties
up to the maximum Of 25 per cent. ad
valorem provided In the present law.
Flat tariffs are out OF date. ~
Special Claims Arbitration With Great
Britain.
The special agreement entered into
between the United States and Great
Britain on August IS. 1910, for the ar.
bitration OF outstanding pecuniary
claims. schedule OF claims and the
terms OF submission have been agreed
upon by the two governments. and to-
gether with the special agreement
were approved by the senate on July
10. 1911. but in accordance with the
terms Of the agreement they did not
60 into effect until confirmed by the
two governments by an exchange Of
notes, which was done on April 20
last. Negotiations are still In prog
ress for q supplemental schedule of
claims to be submitted to arbitration
under this agreement, and meanwhile
the necessary preparations for the ar.
bitration Of the claims included In the
first schedule have been undertaken
and are being carried on under the
authority Of an appropriation made for
that purpose at the last session of