The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1906-12-07

/ OI the StTOnk. we neither CIdlH Qc-
sire any rights or privileges. or powers
that we do not freely concede to every
American republic. We wish to increase
our prosperity, to extend our trade, TO
| grow in wealth. In wisdom and In spirit,
but our conception of the true way to ac-
complish this is not to pull down others
and profit by their ruin, but to help all
friends to common prosperity and
common growth, that we may all become
greater and stronger together. Within a
few months for the first time the recog-
nized possessors Of every foot OF soil upon
the American continents can be ana l
hope will be represented with the acknowi-
edged rights of equal sovereign states IN
the great World Congress at The Hague;
This will be the worlds formal and final
acceptance of the declaration that no part
Of the American continents is to be
deemed subject to colonization. Let us
pledge ourselves to aid each other In the
full performance Of the duty to humanity
which that accepted declaration implies,
so that In time the weakest and most un-
fortunate of our republics may come TO
march with equal step by the SIDE OF tne
stronger and more fortunate. Let us nelp
each other to show that for all the races
of men the liberty for which we nave
fought and labored is the twin sister OF
justice and peace. Let us unite In Gre
ating and maintaining and making enec-
tive an all-American public opinion, whose
power shall influence international con-
duct and prevent international wrong,
| and narrow the causes or war, ana LOT
ever preserve "OuT Tree ldIuS hum ShS
burden of such ornaments as are massed
behind the frontiers of Europe, and prlng
us ever nearer to the perfection OF or,
| dered liberty. So shall come security ana
/ prosperity production and trade, wealth.,
learning, the arts and happiness for us
| all"
/ Our Efforts Appreciated.
These words appear to have been re-
| ceived with acclaim in every part OF
| South America. They have my hearty APP
prevail as am sure they will have yours,
| and / can not be wrong in the conviction
| that they correctly represent the senur
ments of the whole American people. 1
| can not better characterize the true attl-
| tude of the United States In its assertion
of the Monroe Doctrine than in the words
| Of the distinguished former minister of
foreign affairs Of Argentina, DR.; Drago,
| in his speech welcoming Mr.. ROOT at
| Buenos Ayres. He spoke Of
THE traditional policy of the United
| States (which) without accentuating SUI
periorty or seeking prepon 1de con-
| this part of the world and the control
| of their destinies by the great Powers OF
! Europe"
great city of Buenos Ayres, upon the
| arches which spanned the streets, en-
twined with Argentine. and American
flags for the reception of our representa-
tive, there were emblazoned not only the
names of Washington and Jefferson and
Marshall but also, in appreciative recog-
milton of their services to the cause OF
South American independence. the names
Henry Clay, and Richard Rush. We take
especial pleasure in the graceful courtesy
of the government of Brazil, which has
given to the beautiful and stately build
ing first used for the meeting OF the con.
ference the name of Palacio Monroe
Our grateful acknowledgment are due to
the governments and the people OF all
the countries visited by the secretary OF
state for the courtesy, the friendship. and
the honor shown to our country in their
generous hospitality to him.
In my message to you on the 6tn OF
December, 1906 / called your attention to
the embarrassment that might be caused
to this government by the assertion by
foreign nations of the right to collect by
American republics to citizens of the col
lecting nation, and to the danger that the
process of compulsory collection might
result in the occupation of territory tend
ing to become permanent then said:
"Our own government has always re-
fused to enforce such contractual obliga-
tions on behalf of its citizens by an APP
peal to arms. 1t Is much to be wisht that
all foreign governments would take the
same view"
This subject was one of the topics of
consideration at the conference at Rio
and resolution was adopted by that
conference recommending to the respec-
tive governments represented TO consld-
er the advisability of asking the second
peace conference at The Hague to exam
Inc the question of the compulsory collec-
ton of public debts, and in general
means tending to diminish among. nations
conflicts of purely pecuniary origin
Resolutions Adopted.
This resolution was supported by the
representa- tives of the United States In
accordance with the following instruc-
tons;
ut has long been the established policy
of the United States not TO use its armed
forces for the collection Of ordinary con
tract debts due to its citizens by other
governments We have not considered
the use of force for such a purpose con-
sistent with that respect for the indie.
pendent sovereignty OF other members or
the family of nations, which is the most
important principle of international law
and the chief protection of weak nations
against the oppression of the strong. 1t
seems to US that the practice IS injurious
in it's general effect upon the relations OF
nations and upon the welfare OF weak
and disordered states, whose development
ought to be encouraged in the interests OF
tation to bullying and oppression and to
unnecessary and ur1ustifiable warfare.
We regret that other powers, whose opin-
ions and sense of justice we esteem high
ly, have at times taken different view
and have permitted themselves, tho we
believe with reluctance, to collect such
debts by force. 1t Is doubtless true that
the nonpayment of public debts may be
fraud and wrongdoing or violation OF
treaties as to justify the use of force.
This government would be glad to see an
international consideration of the subject
which shall discriminate between such
cases and the simple nonperformance of
a contract with private person, and
resolution in favor of reliance upon peace
full means in cases of the latter class.
1T Is not felt, however, that the con-
ference at Rio should undertake to make
such discrimination or to resolve upon
such rule. Most of the American coun-
tries are still debtor nations, while the
countries OF Europe are the creditors. II
the Rio conference, therefore, were to
tape such action 1t would have the ap-
pearance Of a meeting of debtors resolv-
ing how their creditors should act, and
this would not inspire respect. The true
course Is indicated by the terms of the
program which proposes to request the
second Hague conference, where both
creditors and debtors will be assembled,
to consider the subject"
Central America.
Last June trouble which had existed for
some time between the republics OF Sal
yador Guatemala, and Honduras culmi-
mated in war-a war which threatened to
be ruinous to the countries involved and
very destructive to the commercial inter-
ests of Anne ricans, Mexcans, and other
foreigners who are taking an important
part In the development OF these coun-
tries The thoroly good understanding
which exists between the United States
and Mexico enabled this government and
that of Mexico to unite In effective medi-
he arr voT rnYN