MESSAGE TO CONGRESS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 260, 9 December 1909, Page 2

MESSAGE TO CONGRESS

THE MONROE DOCTRINE. THE NICARAGUA}! QUESTION. By Cable—Presß Association —Copyright Received December 8, 10.35 p.m. New York, December a. President Taft, in a 40-page message to Congress, referring to the Latin-Ameri-can apprehensions which gave rise to vne Monroe doctrine, states that they have now nearly disappeared. The doctrine should not be permitted to operate for the perpetuation of an irresponsible government seeking to escape its just obligations. Dealing with Nicaragua, he refers to the sad tale of unspeakable and barbarous oppression alleged to have been committed by President Zelaya's government. Two Americans had been put to death by order of President Zelaya himself. They were officers of an organised force of revolution which controls half of Nicaragua. , American bankers at last seemed to be assured of a share of the Chinese railway loan. Washington was insisting on American railway material being used on an exact equality with the others nations participating in the loan. President Taft believes there will be no tariff war as a result of the maximum and minimum clause, owing to the discretion granted to the executive. The message refers to the Customs frauds, the .boundary fisheries negotiations with Canada, and the cordinl relations with Japan, and calls attention to the high state of American prosperity, there being every reason to believe that America is on the eve of a Substantial business expansion.

The Radical Republicans stigmatise the messnge as cold, and as an official report of conversations. They arc pleased because it threatens little legislation.