Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-12-05

the history Of this country obtained
substantial most characterization treat
ment from all the countries OF the
world.
There are, however. other instances
which. while apparently not constitute
Ing undue determination In the sense
or section 2. are nevertheless excep.
lions to the complete equity OF tariff
treatment for American products that
the department OF state consistently
has sought to obtain for American
commerce abroad.
Necessity For supplementary Lssis'a.
tlen.
These developments confirm the opin.
ion conveyed to you in my annual mes.
sage Of 1911, that while the ma ximum
and minimum provision Of the tarin
law Of 1900 has been fully justified BY
the success achieved in removing pre-
viously existing undue determinations
against American products. yet expert.
ence has shown that this feature Of
the law should be amended In such
way as to provide a fully effective
means Of meeting the varying degrees
Of discriminatory treatment Of Ameri.
can commerce in foreign countries still
encountered. rs we'll as to protect
against Injurious treatment on the part
Of foreign governments through either
legislative or administrative measures
the financial interests abroad Of Ameri.
can citizens whose enterprises enlarge
the market for American commodities.
l 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 Dec. l3. 1911 The OBJ.
ject 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 discrim-
mates against the United States.
graduated scale Of duties mp to the
maximum OF rs per cent nd valorem
provided in the present law.
( Flat tariffs are out Of date Nations
no longer accord equal tariff treatment
to all other nations irrespective OF the
treatment from them received Such a
flexible power At the command Of the
executive would serve to moderate any
unfnvorable tendencies on the part OF
those countries from which the impor.
tations into the United States are sub
stantially confined to articles on the
free list as we'll as of the countries
which hnd lucrative market In the
United States for their products under
existing custom rates. 1t is very neces.
sary that the American government
should be equipped with weapons Of
/ negotia ton adopted to modern econom-
ic conditions in order that we may at
all times be In a position to gain not
only technically just but actually equit.
able treatment for our trade and also
for American enterprises and vested IN.
terests abroad
Business Secured to Our Country by
Direct Official Effort.
AS illustrating the commercial bene.
fits to the nation derived from the new
diplomacy and its effectiveness upon
the material as we'll rs the more ideal
side. 1t may be remarked that through
direct of1cial efforts alone there have
been obtained in the course Of this
administration contracts from foreign
governments involving an expenditure
/ Of $50.0O0.00O in the factories Of the
United States.
1t is gerlnane to these observations to
remark that In the two years that have
elapsed since tho successful negotia.
ton of our new treaty with Japan.
which at the time seemed to present SO
many practical difficulties. our export
trade to that country has Increased at
the rate Of over s1.0OO,0OO a month.
Our exports to Japan for the year end.
ed June 80. 1910. We're S2l,959.3lO.
while for the year ended June 30. 1912.
the exports were S53.41S,O46. n net in
crease in the sale Of American prod
ucts Of nearly $50 per cent.
The act adopted at the last session
Of congress to give effect to the fur
seal convention Of July :. 191 |. between
Grcat Britain, Japan, Russia and tho
United States provided for the sus-
pension Of all land killing Of 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 rs to whether or not this
prohibition Of land killing is inconsist-
ent with the spirit II not the letter Of
the treaty stipulations. The justi6ca.
ton for establishing this close season
depends. under the terms Of the con.
ventlon. upon how far II at all 1t Is
necessary for protecting and preserv.
Ing the American fur seal herd and for
increasing its number This is Ques-
ton requiring examination Of the pres
ent condition Of the herd and the treat
ment which II needs In the light OF
actual experience and scientific inves.
/ tigation.
Final Settlement Of North Atlantic
Fisheries Dispute.
On the Goth Of July last an agree.
ment was concluded between the Unit.
ed States ard Great Britain adopting,
with certain notifications. the rules
and method Of procedure recommend
ed In the award rendered by the North
Atlantic coast fisheries arbitration tri.
bunal on Sept I, 1910. for the settle
ment hereafter, In accordance with
the principles laid down In the award.
OF questions arising with reference to
the exercise Of the American fishing
liberties under Article I Of the treaty