Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-03

OF State, through approval OF
for American products that the Depart
ment of State consistently has sought to
obtain for American commerce abroad,
These developments confirm the opin-
sage Of 1911, that
Graduated Tariff while the maximum
n..A: and minimum pro-
vision Of the tariff
law of 1909 has been fully justified by the
success achieved in removing previously
existing undue determinations against
American products. yet experience has
shown that this feature Of the law should
be amended in such way as to provide a
fully effective means of meeting the vary
lug degrees of discriminatory treatment
of American commerce in. foreign coun-
tries still encountered. as we'll as to pro-
tect against Injurious treatment on the
part of foreign governments, through
either legislative or administrative meas
ures. the financial interests abroad Of
American citizens whose enterprise en-
large the market for American commodi-
ties.
Il cannot too strongly recommend to
the Congress the passage of some such
enabling measure as the bill which was
recommended by the Secretary Of State
in his letter of December 13 1911. The
object Of the proposed legislation is. in
brief. to enable the executive to apply.
as the case may require to any or all
commodities, whether or not on the free
list from a country which discriminates
against the United States. a graduated
scale of duties up to the maximum Of
% per cent ad valorem provided in the
present law. Flat tariffs are out Of date
Nations no longer accord equal tariff
treatment to all other nations irrespective
o. the treatment from them received
Such flexible power at the command 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 list as we'll as Of the countries
which find lucrative market in the
United States for their products under
existing customs rates. 1t is very neces-
sary that the American government
should be equipped with weapons of nego-
tiation adapted to modern economic con-
Citions, in order that We may at all times
be in a position to gain not only techni-
cally just but actually equitable treat
ment for our trade, and also for Ameri-
can enterprise and vested interests
abroad.
'As illustrating the commercial benefits
to the nation derived from the new diplo-
macy and it's
Business Secured by effec iveness
omreA upon the mate
VnSAoA GAiV Wv rial as we'll as
the more ideal side. it may be remarked
that through direct official efforts alone
there have been obtained. in the course Of
this administration, contracts from for
eign governments involving an expendi-
ture of 100000 in the factories of the
United States. Consideration of this fact
and some reflection upon the necessary
effects of a scientific tariff system and a
foreign service alert and equipped to CO.
operate with the business men of Amer
lea carry the conviction that the crafty
ing increase in the export trade of this
country Is, in substantial amount, due to
our improved governmental methods of
protecting and stimulating it. 1t is ger
name to these observations to remark
that in the two years that have elapsed
since the successful negotiation of our
new treaty with Japan, which at the time
seemed to present so many practical diff
ficulties. our export trade to that coun-
try has increased at the rate of over
81 100000 month. Our exports to Japan
SD $40. while for the year ended June
30. 1912, the exports were $53. 47S,046, a
net increase in the sale of American
products of nearly 80 per cent.
Under the special agreement entered
into between the United States and Great
Britain on
Claims Arbitration With August 1s
Great Britain. -" 10 ,o'
tration of outstanding pecuniary claims,
a schedule of claims and the terms of
submission have been agreed upon by the
two governments. and together with the
special agreement were approved by the
Senate on July 10, 1911. but in accordance
with the terms of the agreement they
did not go into effect until confirmed by
the two governments by an exchange Of
notes. which was done on April 26 last.
Negotiations are still in progress for a
supplemental schedule of claims to be
submitted to arbitration under this agree
ment, and meanwhile the necessary prep
aratfons for the arbitration of the claims
included in the first schedule have been
undertaken and are being carried on un-
der the authority Of an appropriation
made for that purpose at the last session
Of Congress. 1t is anticipated that the
two governments will be prepared to call
upon the arbitration tribunal established
under this agreement to meet at Wash.
ington early next year to proceed with
this arbitration.
THE act adopted at the last session Of
Congress to give effect to the fur-seal
convention of July Z. 1911,
FUR Seal between Great Britain
Treaty. I,nitsd ststas ana nnou,s ,n ne
for the suspension of all land killing
seals on the Pribilof Islands for a
period OF five years, and an objection has
now been presented to this provision by
the other parties in interest, which raises
the issue as to whether or not this prohi-
bition Of land killing is inconsistent with
the spirit, II not the letter, of the treaty
stipulations. The justification for estab-
fishing this close season depends, under
the terms Of the convention, upon how
far, II at all. 1t Is necessary for protect