The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-04
European Powers Wafned Not to Continue to Dis
 criminate Against U. S.
DOLLAR DIPLOMACY
 STRONGLY UPHELD
Appeal for Joint Action by Congress to Open New Markets for Ameri- can Industries--Message
 First of Series

| 1Ibt Ui oSflts
 Washington. December s.-A note of
 waning to European powers which by in
 direct means continue to discriminate
 against American trade; strong appeal to the Congress to upllft the great foreign
 policies of America above mere questions
 of partisanshlps5a a triumphant vndication
 of the diplomacy of the administration.
 which is characterized as that of dollars
 vs. eullets;r a masterful pride in Inc
 enormous expansion of American trade as
 a result of the foreign policies of his ad- ministration and an earnest appeal for
 joint action by Congress and the execu-
 tive to open new markets for American tndustries-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 ses-
 sion, and deals entirely 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 insistence upon justice to American citizens. or in-
 terests, wherever t may have been de-
 nied. and a stronger emphasis of the need of mutuality in commercial and other re-
 lations.r
 Obtain Concessions
 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 coun- tries of the world. Therefore, he says that 1t is only natural that competitive countries should view with somo concern the expansion of our commerce.. Hence the warning: If in some instances tho measures taken by them to meet 1t are not entirely equitable, a remedy should be found.'
 To this end the President strongly rec ommends the enactment of the bill reeom- mended by Secretary Knox last Decem-
 Der permitting the government, instead of
 imposing the full maximum rates of duty against discriminating countries to apply
 a graduated scale ol duties dp ta that
 maximum of 25 per cent.
 Flat tariffs are out of date says the
 President Nations longer Lccord equal tariff treatment to all other na- tons, irrespective of the treatment from them receIved IL IS very neces- sary that the American government should be equipped with weapons Of ne- gotiations and adapted to modern eco homie conditions"
 Inc state department 'an archaic and inadequate machine" at the beginning 1 or this administration, the president says, nas become new organization with highly specialized bureaus and eA. perts oealIng with every phase oI Amer slfr.t.k I.f.f the essence of this reorganized service l is found in the merit system, which President Cleveland s credited with haV- | ing introduced, President Taft makes d strong appeal to Congress 10 make tn. machine permanent, by giving the force l of statutory law to the executive orders | governing admission to and promotion |. the diplomatic and consular services. Opposed to Non-Partisan
 To show that these appointments are | already largely non partisan, the pres- | dent points to the fact that three of the present amba ssadors are holdoyers that l of the ten he has appointed, five wers | by promotion from the rank of ininls- 1 ter; that of the thirty ministers appoint l ed eleven were promotions and that 1T. l the consular service no less than oo per | cent of the consuls appointed by h.ln l were from the southern states. l The diplomacy of the present admin | istratlon has sought to respond to mod l ern ideas of commercial intercourse" | says President Taft. "4--.s policy has heen characterized as substituting dollars l for bullets. II Is one that appeals alike to idea alstic humanitarian sentiments, to the dictates of sound policy and ctrat- l egy, and to legitimate commercial aims" The president adds that because mod | ern diplomacy is commercial. there hus been disposition in some quarters (, l.st l.ata t.tf raft.tf frss | aims"
 1 How strildngly erroneous Is such n l impression may be seen from d study or the results by which the diplomacy of the United States be judged says | the President
 | lie mentions the arbitration treaties | with France and Great Britain. which | failed of confirmation in the Senate. the l successful tripartite mediation of the Ar | genuine Republic. Brazil and the Gnite | States, between Peru and Ecuador. the | ar bitration Of the Panama-costa Rica | boundary dispute; the intervention be- | tween Haiti and the Dominican KepLo- | He on the verge of war, the suppression | of the NicaI aguan war. the halting of l iLterbecine strife in Honduras, the ad- Justment of the celebrated raona-Arloa dispute between Peru and Chile and ths adjustment of the Peruvian Ecuadorian | boundary issue
 Easing of Tension l In consequence of these things. say. | the President, there has been general easing of international tension on Inc l west coast of South America. He also adds that the diplomacy of tho United States is active in seeking to assuage the | remaining III 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 China. where "the policy of encouraging finan- cial investment to enable that country to help itself has had the result of giv- ing new life and practical application to the open door policy" The consistent purpose has been to encourage the use of American capital in China, says the President, 10 promote the reforms l.. which that country Is pledged by treaty
 with the United States and other pow CTS There has been a vigorous asse
 tion, also he says. or the equal right
 of the United States to 8 voice in all
 questions pertaining to Chinese loans ard
 developments.
 President Taft makes the direct charge that the terrible events recorded in Mica
 ragua recently, the useless loss of life. the devastation of property. the boubard- naent of the principal cities, the killinQs