The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-12-03
Changes Suggested In
Tariff Laws to Aid
Commerce.
FLAT RATES ARE FAILURES.

that sphere shall be removed from the
jeopardy involved by heavy foreign
debt and chaotic national finances and
from the ever present danger of inter
national complications due to disorder
at home.
Hence the United States has been
glad to encourage and support Ameri-
can bankers who were willing to lend
a helping hand to the financial re-
Mobilization of such countries because
this financial rehabilitation and the
protection of their custom houses from
being the prey of would be dictators
would remove at one stroke the men
ace of foreign creditors and the men
ace of revolutionary disorder.
/ wish to call your especial attention
to the recent occurrences in Nicaragua,
for I believe the terrible events re-
corded there during the revolution of
the past summer-the useless loss of
life, the devastation of property, the
bombardment of defenseless cities, the
killing and wounding of women and
children, the torturing of nonconbat-
ants to exact contributions and the
suffering of thousands of human be
ings-might have been averted had the
department of state, through approval
of the loan convention by the senate,
been permitted to carry out its now
well developed policy of encouraging
the extending of financial aid to weak
Central American states with the pri
mary objects of avoiding just such
revolutions by assisting these repub-
lies to reha bilitate their finances. to
~ hi al II
basis, to remove the custom houses
from the danger of revolutions by ar
ranging for their secure administra-
ton. and to establish reliable banks.
wish to congra tulate the officers
and men of the United States navy and
marine corps who took part in re-estab-
fishing order in Nicaragua upon their
splendid conduct and to record with
sorrow the death of seven American
marines and blueJackets. Since the re-
establishment Of peace and order cleo
lions have been held amid conditions of
quiet and tranquility. Nearly all the
American marines have now been
withdrawn.
Our Mexican Policy.
For two years revolution and counter
have distraught the neigh
boring republic of Mexico. Brigandage
has involved a great deal Of depreda-
ton upon foreign interests. There have
constantly REQUIRED questions of ex-
treme delicacy. On several occasions
very difficult situations have arisen on
our frontier. Throughout this trying
period the policy of the United States
has been one Of patient noninterven-
ton, steadfast recognition of constitut-
ed authority in the neighboring ma
ton and the exertion of every effort
10 care for American interests. pro-
foundry hope that the Mexican nation
may soon resume the path of order.
and progress. To that ma
ten in its sore troubles the sympa-
thetic friendship of the United States
has been demonstrated to a high de-
gree.
There were in Mexico at the begin
ming of the revolution some 5000 or
10000 American citizens engaged in
contributing greatly to the
of that republic and also
the important trade between
the two countries. The investments OF.
American capital in Mexico has been
at 81 600, 100000 The respon-
sibility of endeavoring to safeguard
those interests and the dangers inSep-
arabic from propinquity to so turbulent
a situation have been great, but 1 am
happy to have been able to adhere to
the policy above outllned-a policy
which l hope may soon be justified by
the complete success of the Mexican
people in regaining the blessings of |
peace and good order. =
Agricultural Credits.
A most important work accomplished |
IN the past year by the American dip |
omatic officers In Europe is the inves-
igation of the agricultural credit sys-
tenn in the European countries. Both
as a means to afford relief to the con
sumers of this country through q more |
thorough development of agricultural
resources and as q means Of more suffi- |
,iently maintaining the agricultural |
population. the project to establish |
credit facilities for the farmers is |
concern of vital importance to this ma
ion.
No evidence of prosperity among well |
farmers should blind US to |
The fact that lack Of capital is prevent |
ng a development of the nations agri |
cultural resources and an adequate in |
crease of the land under cultivation: |
that agricultural production is fast fall-I
ng behind the increase in population |
and that, in fact, although these well |
farmers are maintained in |
increasing prosperity because OF the |
increase in population. we are |
not developing the industry of agricul |
.ure.
of Maximum and Minimum |
Tariff Provision.
The importance which our manufac- |
-uroS have aSsur0d in the couun@rrra j