Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-12-04

y
by indirect means continue to dis
oriminate against American trade; a
strong appeal to the Congress to up
lift the great foreign policies Of
America above mere questions of
rartisanship; a triumphant vindiea-
ton of the diplomacy of the admin
| istration, which is characterized as
THAT of dollars versus bullets" "a
masterful pride in the enormous ex-
pansion of American trade as a re-
suit of the foreign policies of his adj
rninistration; and an earnest appeal
for Joint action by Congress and the
executive to open new markets for
American industries-these are the
more striking features of President
Tafts fourth annual message sent to
Congress today.
The message is the first of series
of such communications which he will
make to Congress in the early days
of the session, and deals entirely with
the foreign relations of the United
States. Beginning with the usual
reference TO the existing good rela-
tons with foreign powers, the Presi-
dent adds that these have been
strengthened by "A greater insistenee
upon justice to American citizens, or
interests, wherever it may have been
denied, and a stronger emphasis of
the need Of mutually in commercial
and other relations"
For the first time in it's history, says
the President, the state Department
has obtained substantially the most
favored nation treatment from all of
the countries of the world. There
fore, he says that ii is only natural
that competitive countries should view
with some concern the expansion Of
our commerce. Hence the warning.
IF in some instances. the measures
taken by them to meet it are not en-
tirely equitable, remedy should be
found
To this end the President strongly
recommends the enactment of the bill
recommended by Secretary Knox last
December, permitting the Govern
ment. instead of imposing the full
maximum rates of duty against dis
eliminating countries, TO apply
graduated scale of duties, up to that
maximum of % per cent.
Flat tariffs are out of date" says
the President Nations no longer
accord equal tariff treatment to all
other nations, irrespective of the
treatment from them received.
1t is very necessary that the Ameri-
can Government should be equipped
with weapons of negotiation and
adapted to modern economic condi-
lions"
The State Department, an archaic
and inadequate machine at the be-
ginning of this administration, the
President says, has become new or
ganization, with highly specialized
bureaus and experts dealing with
every phase of American trade and
diplomacy Holding that the essence
of this reorganized service is found
in the merit system, which President
Cleveland is credited with having in
troduced. President Taft makes
strong appeal to Congress to make
this machine permanent, by giving
the force of statutory law to the eX-
ecutive orders. governing admission
to and promotion in the diplomatic
and consular services.
To show that these appointments
are already largely nonpartisan, the
President points TO the fact that three
of the present ambassadors are hold
oNtlS. dtidl VI lHt ttil Ht dp-
pointed. five were by promotion from
the rank of minister; that of the
thirty ministers appointed. eleven
We're promotions: and that in the
consular service no less than 80 per
cent of the consuls appointed by, him
We're from the southern states.
The diplomacy of the present adj
ministration has sought to respond to
modern ideas of z commercial inter-
course" says President Taft This
policy has been characterized as sub
stituting dollars for bullets. 1t is
one that appeals alike to idealistie
humanitarian sentiments, to the die
tates of sound policy and strategy,
and to legitimate commercial aims"
The President adds that because
modern diplomacy is commercial,
there has been disposition in some
quarters to attribute 10 il none but
materialistic aims"
How strikingly erroneous is such
an impression may be seen from =
study Of the results by which the
diplomacy OF the United States can
be judged" says the President.
He. mentions the arbitration treaties
with France and Great Britain, which
failed of confirmation in the Senate.
the successful tripartite mediation of
the Argentine Republic, Brazil, \and
the United States. between Peru and
Ecuador; the arbitration of the
Panama Costa Rica boundary dis
pute: the Intervention between Haiti
and the Dominican Republic on the
verge of war. the suppression of bhe
NicaraguanA war, the hating of in
ternecine strifeSin Honduras. the adj
justment of the celebrated Tacna-
africa dispute between Peru and Chile,
and the adjustment of the Peruvian
Ecuadorian boundary issue.
In consequence Nof these things
says the President. there has been a
general easing of international ten
sion on the West Coast of South
America. He also adds that the d.
plomacy of the United States is ac-
tive in seeking to assuage the re-
naming i'll feeling between this coun-
try and Colombia.
Taking up some of the details of the
years diplomatic work, the President
refers with expressions of pride to