The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-12-07

to preserve order among themselves
IN therefore 10 preecrve their IN
dependence. III the elections become q
farce. and X the insurrectionary habit
becomes confirmed In the island. II To
absolutely out Of the question that the
island should continue independent
n IN United States. which has as
sumed the sponsorship before the
civilized world for Cuba's career as q
nation. 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 path 10 be trodden by those who
exercise se,f-sovernmeat is always
hard. and we should have every chart
~ and patience with the Cubans as
they tread this difficult path. / have
the utmost sympathy with. and regard
for. them: but | most earnestly adjure
them solemnly to weigh their respon-
sibilities and TO see that when their
new government is started IL shall
run smoothly. and with freedom from
fragrant denial OF right on the one
hand. and from insurrectionary distur-
Dances on the other.
THE RIO CONFERENCE.
The Second International Confer
ence Of American Republics. held in
Mexico in the years 1912. provided
for the holding OF the third conference
within five years. and committed the
fixing of the time and place and the
arrangements for the conference to
the governing board of the Bureau OF
American Republics, composed OF the
representatives OF all the American
nations in Washington. That board
discharged the duty imposed upon il
with marked fidelity and painStlking
care, and upon the courteous invita-
ton of the United States OF Brazil. the
conference was held at Rio de Janerio.
continuing from the 13rd of July 10
the goth Of August las Many sub
Jects Of common interest To all the
American nations were discust by the
conference, and the conclusions reach
ed. embodied in a series Of resnlu-
tons and proposed conventions. VIII
be laid before you upon the coming in
OF the final report Of the American
they contain many matters
or Importance relating 10 the extern
sion OF trade, the increase OF com
munication, the smoothing away OF
barriers to free intercourse, and the
promotion of a better knowledge and
good understanding between the diff
ierent countries represented. The meet
lngS or the conference were harmon
ious n the conclusions were reached
with substantial unanimity. II is in-
terestlng to observe that in the sue
cuSsive conferences which have been
held the Representatives of the diff
ierent American nations hava been
learning to work together effectively.
Tor, While the first conference Ia
Washington in 1889. and the second
conference in Mexico in 1912. DC
cupled man months, with much time
wasted in an unregulated and fruitless
discussion, the third conference at
Rio exhibited much of the facility in
the practical dispatch of business
which characterizes permanent DELHI
erative bodies, and completed It's
labors within the period of six weeks
originally allotted for its sessions.
Quite apart from the specific value
or the conclusions reached BY tie con-
ference, the example o fthe representa-
tves of all the American nations en-
gaSlng in harmonious and kindly con-
slderatiOn and discussion of subjects
OF common Interest Is itself of great
and substantial value for the promo
ton OF reasonable and c~onsiderafe
treatment of all international cues
tons. The thanks OF this country are
due to the government of Brazil and
to the people of Rio de Jdnciro for the
generous hospitality with which our
delegates, In common with the others,
were received, entertained, and faciii-
tated in their work.
incidental 10 the meeting of the
conference. the secretary OF state VISIT
ed the city Of Rio de yanerio and was
cordially received by te conference.
OF which he was made an a norary
president. The -nnouncemen Of mis-
intention To make this visit was fol-
lowed by O coureous and urgent
invitations from nearly all the coun-
tries OF South America TO visit then
as thegueSt Of their government s. Ii
was deemed that by the acceptance of
these invitations we might approprI-
ately express the real respect and
friendship In which we hold our sis =
re Lies of the southern continent,
aEd the secretary, accordingly, visited
Brazil, Uruguay Argentina Chile
Peru, Panama, and Colombia. lie re-
Trained from visiting Paraguay. Bo-
Ilvia, and Ecuador oi.fZ because the
uiSIdhce Vi tHeIT cdiitdiE from the
seaboard made it imuracticabie With
the time at his disposal. He carried
with him a message Of peace and
friendship. n of strong desire fcI
good understanding and mutua' help
fulness; and ne was everywhere re-
eeived in the spirit Of his message
The members of government, tht
/ press, the learned profession, the
men OF business, n the great mass.
es of the people united everywhere In
emphatic response 10 his friendly ex.
pressions and in doing honor TO he
country and cause which he repre-
scented.
: IN many parts IF South Americ:
| there has been much misunders stand
: ing OF the attitude and purposes o,
! the United States toward the Other
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