CONGRESS OPENED

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6996, 9 December 1909, Page 7

CONGRESS OPENED

PRESIDENT'S MESSAaE I MONROISM SHOULD NOT SHELTER MISGOVERNMENT. DOMESTIC OUTLOOK BRIGHT. By Talesrapli—Press Association—Copyright (Received December 8, 10.35 p.m.) WASHINGTON, December 8. The second session of the sixtieth Congress of the United States was opened yesterday with the usual ceremonies. The President's Message was a lengthy document, covering forty pages of matter. Referring to the Latin-American apprehension which gave rise to the Monroe doctrine, the message states it has now nearly disappeared, and the doctrine should not be permitted to operate for the perpetuation of irresponsible government seeking to escape its just obligations.

Dealing with Nicaragua, the Message refers to the sad tale of unspeakably barbarous oppression alleged to have been committed by President Zelaya's 'Government. The two Americans recently put to death by order of President Zelaya himself were officers of an organised force of revolution which controls half of Nicaragua. American bankers, the Message says, at last seem assured of a share of the Chinese railway loan, arid the Washington authorities are insisting that American railway material bo used on exact equality with that of the other nations participating in the loan. Reverting to domestic affairs, Mr Taft believes that no tariff war will result from the operation of the maximum and minimum clauso in the new -Tariff Act, owing to the discretion granted to the Executive. The Message refers to the recent' discoveries of Customs frauds, the boundary and fisheries negotiations with Canada, and the cordial relations existing with Japan. Attention is called to the' high' state of American prosperity, and the President declares .there is • every reason to believe the country is on,the ere of .a. substantial business expansion.

Radical Republicans stigmatise the Message as a "cold, offiicai report," while the more conservative elements are pleased, because it. threatens little legislation.

The Monroe doctrine is, in American politics, the doctrine of the non-inter-vention of European Powers in'matters reluting to the American continents. It received its name from statements made in President Monroe's Message to Congress in December, 1823, at the period of a suspected concert of the Powers in. the Holy Alliance to interfere in Spanish America in behalf of. Spain. Tho following are the most significant passages m the Message:—"We could not view an interposition- for oppressing them [the Spanish-American llepublics], or controlling in' any. other manner their destiny, by Uny European Power, _ in. any other light than as a manifestation of an unfriendly disposition tow.ard the United 1 States. ~ . . The; American continents should no longer be-subjects for any new European colonial settlement/' BIG REDUCTION IN NEXT YEAR'S ESTIMATES.' LONDON, December 7. The United States expenditure for 1911 is estimated at £146,444,615 £20,500,000 . below the appropriations for the current year.