The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1912-12-06

washington. Dec. s.-Pregfdent Taft
submitted to congress today the first Of
several messages. IT was devoted to our
foreign relations and in part wes as fol-
lows:
To the Senate and House OF Represen-
tatiyes: The foreign relations OF the
United States actually and potentially af-
feet the state OF the Union to degree
not widely realized and hardly surpassed
by any other factor In the welfare OF
the whole nation. The position of the
United States In the moral Intellectual,
and material relations OF the family OF
nations should be matter of vital inter-
est 70 every patriotic citizen. The nation
al prosperity and power impose upon us
duties which we cannot shirk IL we are
10 be true to our ideals. The tremendous
growth OF the export trade of the United
States has already made that trade a
very real factor in the industrial and
commercial prosperity OF the country.
With the development OF our Industries
the foreign commerce OF the United States
must rapidly become q still more es-
sential factor In its economic welfare.
Whether we have a far-seeing and wise
diplomacy and are not recklessly plunged
Into unnecessary wars. and whether our
foreign policies are based upon an intel.
ligent grasp OF present-day world con-
ditions and clear view OF the potentiali-
ties OF the future, or are governed by a
temporary and timid expediency or by
narrow views BETTING an infant nation,
are questions in the alternative consider
alton OF which must convince any
thoughtful citizen that no department of
national policy offers greater opportunity
for promoting the interests of the whole
people on the one hand. or greater chance
on the other of permanent national in
jury than that which deals with the for
eign relations of the United States.
ha 10 rNan al r,nI nf ha
United States should be raised high above
the conflict of partlsanship and wholly
associated from differences as to domes-
tic policy. In Its foreign affairs the
United States should present to the world
united front The intellectual, financial
and industrial interests OF the country
and the publicist, the wage Garner, the
farmer, and citizen of whatever occupa-
ton must cooperate In a spirit of high
patriotism to promote that national soil
darity which Is Indispensable to national
efficiency and to the attainment OF ma
tional ideals.
The relations OF the United States with
all foreign powers remain upon a sound
basis of peace. harmony and friendship.
greater insistence upon Justice to Amer
lean citizens or interests wherever II may
have been denied and a stronger empha-
SIS of the need of mutually In CONNER
cial and other relations have only served
eign countries by placing those friend
ships upon a firm foundation of realities
as we'll as aspirations.
Before briefly reviewing the more inn
portant events of the last year In our for
elgn relations, which 1t is my duty to do
as charged with their conduct and be-
cause diplomatic affairs are not Of ma
tuer to make 1t appropriate that the Sec
rotary of state make formal annual re-
port, l desire to touch upon some of the
essentials to the safe management of the
foreign relations of the United States and
to endeavor, also. to define clearly certain
concrete policies which are the logical
modern corrollaries of the undisputed and
traditional fundamentals OF the foreign
policy OF the United States.
Reorganization of the State Depart
ment.
At the beginning of the present adj
ministration the United States, having
fully entered upon its position as world
power, with the responsibilities thrust
upon II by the results of the Spanish
American war, and already engaged nj
laying the groundwork of vast foreign
trade upon which It should one day be-
come more and more dependent, found
itself without the machinery for giving
thorough attention to, and taking effec-
tive action upon, mass OF intricate bus
mess vital to American interests In every
country In the world.
The deparement OF state was an archaic
and inadequate machine lacking most OF
the attributes of the foreign office of any
great modern power. With an appropria-
ton made upon my recommendation by
the congress on August 5, 1909. the de-
partment OF state was completely reor-
ganized.
They were created divisions of Latin
American affairs and of far eastern.
near eastern. and western European
affairs, To these divisions were called
from the foreign service diplomatic and
consular officers possessing experience
and knowledge gained. by actual serv-
ice in different parts of the world and
thus familiar with political and COM
mercial conditions in the regions con-
cerned. The work was highly special
lied. The result Is that where previ-
| ously this government from time TO
time would emphasize in its foreign
| relations one or another policy, now
American interests in every quarter of
the globe are being cultivated with
| equal assiduity,
Merit System in Consular and Dlplo-
matte Corps.
Expert knowledge and professional
| training must evidently be the essence
OF this reorganization. Without a
trained foreign service there would
not be men available for the work in
President Cleveland has taken the first
step toward Introducing the merit
system in the foreign service. That
had been followed by the application
OF the merit principle with excellent
results 10 the entire consular branch.
Almost nothing, however had been
done in this direction with regard
TO the diplomatic service. In this age
OF commercial diplomacy II was evil
IDENTIFY OF the hrst Importance to train
an adequate personnel in that branch
OF the service Therefore, on Novem-
Der 26, 1909, by an executive order l
placed the diplomatic service up to
the grade OF secretary OF embassy, in
elusive. upon exactly the same strict
| non partisan basis OF the merit sys-
| tom rigid examination for appoint
ment and promotion only for effi-
| cheney as had been maintained without
exception in the consular service.
Successful Efforts In Promotion OF
Peace.
In the neld OF work toward the
ideals OF peace this government ne
gotiated. but to my regret was unable
/ 10 consummate, two arbitration trea-
4 ties which set the highest mark OF