The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1906-12-15

EWINEEHAAH ~ NAAA AA MAL ~ ~
complish this is not TO pull down Others
ana profit by their ruin, but to help al
Lrlenos 10 a common prosperity and 8
common growta, that we may all become
greater and stronger together. Within q
tew months for the first time the recog,
nized possessors OF every foot of soil upor
the American continents can be and J
nope will be represented with the acknowl'
edged rights Of equal sovereign states In
the great World Congress at The Hague
This viii be the worlds formal and hnaI
acceptance OF the declaration that no par
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 I'M
fortunate Of cur republics may come to
march with equal step by the side OF the
stronger and more fortunate. Let us help
each other to show that for all the races
OF men the liberty for which we have
fought and labored is the twin sister OF
justice and peace. Let us unite in Gre
ating and maintaining and making effec-
1--we an all-American public opinion, whose
power shall influence International con-
duct and prevent International wrong,
and narrow the causes of war, int for
ever preserve our free lands from the
burden of such ornaments as are massed
behind the frontiers OF Europe, and bring
as ever nearer to the perfection of or
dered liberty. So shall come security and
prosperity, production and trade, wealth.
learning, the arts and happiness for us
ALL"
Our Efforts Appreciated.
These words appear TO nave been re-
ceivod with acclaim N every part of
South America. They have my hearty APP
provcl, as l am sure they Will have yours,
and can not DC wrong n The conviction
that they correctly represent the senti-
ments of the whole American people. l
can not better characterize the true atti-
tude Of the United States in its assertion
of the Monroe Doctrine than in the words
Of the distinguishes former minister Of
foreign affairs of Argentina, DIT. Drago,
in his speech welcoming Mr.. Root at
Buenos Ayres. He spoke Of
'The traditional policy of the United
States (Which without accentuating su-
periorlty or seeking preponderance, con-
demned the oppression of the nations OF
this part of the world and the control
Of their d%estinies by the great Powers Of
Europe"
1t IS gratifying to know that in the
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 n
Marshall, but also, in appreciative recoB-
milton Of their services to the cause Of
South American independence, the names
of James Monroe, John Quincy Adams,
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 acknowledgements 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 9Th 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
force OF arms contract debts due 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-
lions on behalf Of its citizens by an APP
peal to arms. II is much to be wisht hat
all foreign governments would take the
same view"
This subject was one of the topics Of
consideration at the conference at Rio
and a resolution was adopted by that
conference recommending to the respec-
tive governments represented ito consid-
er the advisability of asking the second
peace conference at The Hague to exam
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
representatives 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 ncn 0f force for cTICh a nrrnOca nm
sistent with that respect for the indie
pendent sovereignty of other members Of
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. II
seems to US that the practice is injurious
in its 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
| civilization; that 1t offers frequent temp
tation to bullying and oppression and to
unnecessary and unjustifable warfare.
We regret that other powers, whose opin-
ions and sense OF justice we esteem high
ly, have at times taken a different view
and lave permitted themselves, tho we
believe with reluctance, to collect such
debts by force. II is doubtless true that
the nonpayment of public debts may be
accompanied by such circumstances Of
fraud and w~rongdoing or violation OF
treaties as to justify the use Of force.
rms B"uNefnHltul Woulu De BlaQ 10 see an
international consideration of the subject
which shall discriminate between such
cases and the simple nonperformance Of
"a contract with q private person, and a
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 a discrimination or to resolve upon
such a rule. Most of the American coun-
tries are still debtor nations, while the
countries Of Europe are the creditors. If
the RIO conference, therefore, were to
tape such action 1t would have the APP
p%earance 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
vador, Guatemala, and Honduras culmi-
mated in war-a war which threatened TO
he ruinous 60 the countries involved and
very destructive TO the commercial inter-
csts Of Americans, MeXicans, and other
oreiEners 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
hat OF Mexico TO unite in effective medi-
lation between the warning republics;
.ong-continued and patient effort, in
bringing about q meeting Of the repre-
sentatives of the hostile powers on board
a United States Warship as neutral terri.
tory, and peace was there concluded;a "a
peace which resulted In the saving OF
/ Wt-...-T. "a 1Nafaa ND Fa ANa aw.aa-NHAM