The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1906-12-08

Independence. III the elections become
a farce and n the insurrectionary habit
becomes confirmed on the island II Is
absolutely out of the question that the
island should continue indepeDfsat,
and the United States. which has AS
sumed the sponsorship before the civ
iIized world for Cuba's career as ma
ton. would again have TO intervene
and TO see that the government was
managed In such orderly fashion as to
secure the safety Of life and property.
The Rio Conference.
The second international conference
OF American republics. held In Mexi-
co In the years 10O1-02. provided for
the holding OF the third conference
within i've years and committed the
fixing or the time and place and the
arrangements for the conference 10 the
governing board OF the bureau OF
American republics. composed OF the
representatives OF all the American
nations Ia Washington. That beard
discharged the duty imposed upon
IL with marked fidelity and pains
taking care. ana upon the courteous
invitation OF the United States OF Bra
I'll the conference was held nc Rio de
Janeiro, continuing from the 23d Of
July 20 the Goth OF August last Many
subjects Of common interest 10 all the
American nations were discussed by
the conference and the conclusions
reached. embodied IN a series OF reso-
buttons and proposed conventions, will
be laid before you upon the coming OF
the final report OF the American dele
gates.
Panama Trip.
l have just returned from trip 20
Panama and shall report TO you att
length later on the whole subject OF thei
Panama canal.
The Aigecfras Convention.
The Algeciras convention, which was
signed by the United States as well as
by most OF the powers OF Europe. SUI
persedes the previous convention of
1880, which was also signed both by
the United States and a majority OF
tho European powers. This treaty
confers upon us equal commercial
rights with all European countries and
does not entail n single obligation OF
any kind upon us. and earnestly hope
II may be speedily ratified.
Sealing.
The destruction OF the Pribilof is
land fur seals by pelagic sealing still
continues. The HI Il, which, according
TO the surve y 4de In 1874 by direc-
tion or the congress- numbered 400
O00 and which. according to the sur
vey OF both American and Canadian
commissioners In 1891, amounted 20
4
about 10000. This result has been
brought about by Canadian and some
other sealing vessels killing the female
seals while In the water during tneir
annual pilgrimage 20 and from the
south or In search OF food.
The process OF destruction has been
accelerated during recent years by the
appearance OF number OF japanese
vessels engaged In pelngic sealing.
Suitable representations regarding
the Incident have been made 10 the
government OF Japan. and we are as
sured that all practicable measures will
be taken by that country 10 prevent
any recurrence OF the outrage
We have not relaxed our efforts 10
secure an agreement with Great Brit.
ain for adequate protection OF the seal
herd. and negotiations with Japan for
the same purpose are In progress
The laws for tile protection OF the
seals within the Jurisdiction of the
United States need revision and
amendment.
Second Hague Conference.
In my last message | advised you
that the emperor OF Russia had taken
the initiative in bringing about a sec
ond peace conference az The Hague
Under the guidance OF Russia the ar.
rangement OF the preiminarles for
such conference has been progressing
during the past year. Progress has
necessarily been slow. owing 10 the
great number OF countries TO Ice con.
suited upon every question that has
arisen. It N matter OF satisfaction
that all OF the American republics have
now. FOR the first time. been Invited 10
Join IN the proposed conference
Army aud Navy.
IL must ever be kept In mind that
war Is not merely justihable, but Inn
perative upon honorable men, upon an
honorable nation. where peace can
only be obtained by the sacrifice or
conscientious conviction or OF national
welfare.
The United States navy IL the surest
guarantor OF peace which this country
possesses. do not ask that we con.
tinue 20 Increase our navy. ask
merely that II be maintained at It's
present strength, and this can be done
only II we replace the obsolete and out.
worn shlpa by new nnd frood ones tho
equals OF any afioat In any navy To
stop building ships for one year means
that for that year the navy goes back
instead OF forward
In both the army anu the navy there
Il urgent need that everything possible
should be done TO maintain the highest
standard for the personnel alike az re
CARDS the officers ana the enlisted men