The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-12-04
DOLLAR DIPLOMACY
UPHELD BY TAFT
Presidents Annual Message to Con-
gress Deals with Uncle Sans
Foreign Relations.
INCREASED MAINTENANCE
FOR FOREIGN EMBASSIES
Approves of State Departments
Nonintervention Action During
Mexican Troubles.

foreign relations OF the Dulteu Sldles
was read in both houses OF Congress yes
terday. Following his established de-
rarture from the usual all-embracing
ard cumbersome messages OF former &C.
cupants of the White House, this COM
munication was comparatively short and
was limited to the discussion OF one sub
ject.
The President stated that the relations
OF the United States with all foreign
powers were at present maintained on a
basis of peace. harmony, and friend
ship" He pleaded. however, for an eX-
tension of the diplomatic system, stating
that Congress should fully realize the
conditions which obtain in the world as
we stand on the threshold of our middle
age as a nation"
Many important suggestions were made
to Congress in the Presidents message.
Chief among these was his espousal OF
more elastic tariff measure for use IN
dealing with foreign countries showing
discrimination against the products OF
American manufacturers.
President Taft stated that the adjust
ruent of trade relations with foreign gov
ernments under section OF the tariff
law of 1899 had conclusively shown that
their scope should be widened so as to
enable the Executive to apply as the
whether or not on the free list from
country which discriminates against the
United States, a graduated scale OF du-
ties up to the maXimum Of % per cent
ad valorem provided by the present law.
I he President stated that fiat tariffs
were out of date and could not too
strongly recommend this proposed
amendment to the consideration Of Con-
gress. In this recommendation the Pres
ident said:
Defend Dollar Diplomacy.
Nations no longer accord equal tariff
treatment to all other nations irrespec-
tive of the treatment from them re-
ceived, and such a flexible power as a
graduated scale of duties in the hands OF
the Executive would serve to moderate
any unfavorable tendencies on the part
of those countries from which the i'm
portatiOns into the United States are
substantially confined to articles on the
free lists as well as OF the countries
which find a lucrative market in the
United States for their products under
existing laws
Most of the Presidents message was
devoted TO the existing relations between
the United States and her sister repub-
lies OF North and South America. In this
connection the President dwelt upon his
ing his oft-repeated statement that this
means Of invading the smaller autono-
mics of the Americas not only worked
great benefit TO both the American bank
ers interested and the republics receiving
the loan. but strengthened the position
OF the United States through the elimi-
nation OF large foreign loans, which
might cause an international discussion
OF the Monroe doctrine.
direct alaD the enemies of the
loan convention in the United States
Senate. the President stated that ii was
his opinion that the terrible loss OF life
in Nicaragua could have been prevented
had the Department of State been per-
mtted, through the approval OF a loan
its policy OF encouraging financial aid to
weak Central American States.
Special mention is made OF the neces-
sity of strengthening the present nell
trality laws the President suggesting
an amendment to this effect. Such an
amendment, he implied. should be wide
enough to cover the possible necessity
Of dealing with special cases by the ap-
plication of special laws. In this con-
nection the Chief Executive expressed
the utmost good will OF this nation for
her sister republics, stating that the
present policy Of the United States to
promote prosperity and good feeling
among the smaller independencies would
be adhered to.
Homes for AmhassadOrs.
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 SUBJ
ject by adjuring Congress to enact legis-
iation making It permanent. The larger
provision for the maintenance of for
eign emba ssies was also asked for. Par
ticularly was he in favor of the pro-
vision of funds for the establishment of
permanent quarters for United States |
Ministers abroad. In commenting on
this subject he stated that 1t was in |
deed high time that the dignity and |
power Of this great nation be fittingly |
signalized by proper buildings for the |
occupancy of the nations representa- |
tives everywhere abroad"
The President touched upon the Mexi- |
can 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 noninterven- |
tlon and steadfast recognition OF con-
stituted authority" ending his reference |
to Mexico with the hope that the Mex
lean nation would soon resume the
path of order, prosperity and progress"
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 treaties with England and
France, which were lost through the
refusal of Senate ratification and the
dispatch OF American war ships to Con-
The English and French
peace treaties President Taft dismissed
with a remark expressing 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