The chronicle=news., 1912-12-03

Washington. Dec. 3.-President
Taft's first message to the last sos
sion OF congress DIN his term was
received with close attention of
both branches when legislative busi-
ness began today. Dealing entirely
with foreign relations and Amer
ica's comcrciaI progress In foreign
trade. the message paved the way for
others \the chief executive will send
later. dealing with the big questions
OF legislation and government.
Washington. Dec. "a note OF
warning to European powers which
by indirect means continue TO dis
cIiminate against American ira lie; u
strong appeal to the congress to up
lift the great foreign policies OF
America above mere questions OF
partisanship: u triumphant vindica-
tion OF the diplomacy OF the admin
istration, which Is characterized as
that OF dollars versus bullets" n
masterful pride In the enormous ex-
pansion OF American trade as u re-
suit OF the foreign policies OF his nd-
min'stration: 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 Prcsidcn,
Taft's fourth annual message sent to
congress today.
The message is the first OF a series
OF such communications which he
Will make TO congress In the early
days o! the session. and deals entir-
ely with the foreign relations OF the
United States. beginning with the
usual reference to the existing good
relations with foreign powers. the
president adds that these have been
strengthened by "a greater insist
eHce upon Justice to American citi-
zens. or interests. wherever II may
have been denied. and n stronger en-
phasls of the need OF mutually In
commercial and other relations"
For the first time In its history.
says tho president. the state depart
ment has obtained substantially the
most favored nation treatment from
all Of the countries OF the world.
Therefore. he says. that II IL only
natural that competitive countries
should view with some concern the
expansion OF our commerce. Hence
the warning. III In some instances.
n remedy should be found"
To this end. the president strong
ly recommends the enactment OF the
bill recommended by Secretary Knox
last December. permitting the gov
ernment, instead OF imposing the full
maximum rates Of duty against dis.
eliminating countries. to apply q
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Flat tariffs are out OF date" says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.
II In very necessary that the AmerI-
can government should be equipped
with weapons OF negotiation and
adapted to modern economic condi-
tions.''
The State Department, IAN archa-
ic and inadequate machine" as the
beginning Of this administration, the
president says. has become n new or.
ganization. with highly specialized
bureaus and experts dealing with
every phase of American trade and
diplomacy. Holding that the cs-
sence OF this reorganized service is
found In the merit system. which
President Cleveland is credited with
having introduced. President Taft
makes a strong appeal to congress to
make this machine permanent. by
giving the force Of statutory law to
the executive orders governing ad-
mission to and promotion in the dip
iomatic and consular services.
To show that these appointments
ere already largely nonpartisan. the
president points to the fac. that
three of the present ambassadors are
hold overs: that of the ten he has
appointed, five were by promotion
from the rank OF minister: that OF
the thirty ministers appointed: elev-
ell were promotions: and that in the
consular service no less than 55 per
cent OF the consuls appointed by him
were from the southern states.
THE diplomacy of the present ad-
ministration has sought to respond
to modern ideas OF commercial inter-
COURSE" says President Taft. This
policy has been characterized as sub
stituting dollars for bullets. 1t is
one that appeals alike to idealistic
humanitarian sentiments. to the die
tates OF sound policy and strategy.
and to legitimate commercial aims"
The president adds that because
adaen dinlnna 10 cnnn m q rcinl