The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-12-03
Directed Against European Dis
elimination Against America.
DEVOTED TO FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Points With Pride to Work of
His Administration.
It's Diplomacy One of "DOIIars
VS.. Bullets" He Says.

ing to European powers which by in
direct means continue to discriminate
against American trade; a strong ap-
peal to the congress to uplift the great
foreign policies of America above mere
questions of partisanship; a trium-
phant vindication of the diplomacy OF
the administration, which is charac-
terized as that of dollars versus bull
let's" a masterful pride in the enor-
nous expansion of American trade as
a result of the foreign policies OF his
administration; 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 President
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 of
the session, and deals entirely with the
foreign relations of the United States.
Beginning with the usual reference tC
the existing good relations with for
eign powers, the president adds that
these have been strengthened by "a
greater insistence upon justice to
American citizens, or interests, wher-
ever it may have been denied, and a
stronger emphasis of the need of
mutually in commercial and other re-
latiOns''
For the nrSC I1In6 IN says
the president the state department has
obtained substantially the most favor
ed nation treatment from all of the
countries of the world. Therefore, he
says that it is only natural that COM
petitive countries should view with
some concern the expansion of our
commerce. Hence the warning, IF
in some instances, the measures taken
by them to meet it are not entirely
equitable, a remad should be found"
Recommends Knox Bill.
To this end, the president strongly
recommends the enactment of the bill
recommended by Secretary Knox last
instead of imposing the full maximum
rates of duty against discriminating
countries, to apply a graduated scale
of duties, up to that maximum of 25
per cent.
'Flat tariffs are out of date" says the
president. Nations no longer accord
equal tariff treatment to all other ma
tions, irrespective of the treatment
from them received 1t is very
necessary that the American govern
ment should be equipped with weapons
of negotiation and adapted to modern
economic conditions.
The state department, IAN archaic
and inadequate machine at the begin
ming of this administration, the presi-
dent says, has become a new organfZa-
ton, with highly specialized bureaus
and experts dealing with every phase
of American trade and diplomacy.
Holding that the essence of this reor-
ganized service is found in the merit
system, which President Cleveland is
credited with having introduced, Presi-
dent Taft makes a strong appeal to
congress to make this machine perma-
nent, by giving the force of statutory
law to the executive orders governing
admission to and promotion in the
S{D1or,o fio and consular services
To show that these appointments are
already largely non-partisan, the presi-
dent points to the fact that three of |
the present ambassadors are hold
overs: that of the ten he has appointed |
Eve were by promotion from the rank
of minister; that of the thirty ministers
appointed, eleven were promotions, and
that in the consular service no less than |
H5 per cent of the consuls appointed by
him were from the southern states.
Dollars Instead of Bullets.
s'The diplomacy of the present admin |
istration has sought to respond to mod |
ern ideas of commercial intercourse" |
cavs President Taft. This policy has /
been characterized as substituting dol /
1ore for bullets. 1t is one that appeals |
aY1fe 10 fdealistic humanitarian senti- |
Tnents. to the dictates of sound policy |
and strategy, and to legitimate COM
nv TI1e 60 nresident adds that because
has been a disposition in some quarters
20 attribute to it none but materialistic |
aims" :. -
aHow strikingly erroneous is such an |
t,nression. may be seen from study |
of the results by which the diplomacy
- +ba limited States can be judged,
SAYS the president ....o
Ha mentions the arbitration treatles
i+b FRANCE and Great Britain, whlch /
So.Ia7 IF confirmation in the senate; ,
a. s,,ccassful tripartite mediation of
~ ARGENTINE Republic, Brazil and !
~ ITnited states, between Peru and
1-c,,ador. the arbitration of the Pana-
n,a-Costa Rica boundary dispute; the
intervention between Haiti ana the
nonoinican Republic on the verge OF
war the suppression OF the Nlcarasuan
war the haIting of internaeclne slrl1e
in Honduras the adjustment OF the
celebrated Taona-Arioa dispute oe-
tween Peru and Chile, ana the ADJUST
mont of the Peruvian-Ecuadorian
boundary issue
In consequence of these things, says
the nresident. there has been a general
easing of international tension on the
west coast of South America. He also
adds that the diplomacy of the Unlteo
States is active in seeking to assuage
the remaining ill feeling between this
country and Colombia.
The Years Work
Taking up some of the details OF the
years diplomatic work, the president
refers with expressions of pride TO
China. where 1.-The policy of encourag-
ing financial investment to enable that
country to help itself has had the re-
suit OF giving new life and practical