The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-12-05

danger that the process of compulsory collection might result in the occupa- tion of territory tending to become permanent. I then said:
 Our own Government has always refused to enforce such contractuaI oblirations on behalf of its citizens by an appeal to arms It is much to be wished that all foreign governments would take the same view.
 This subject was one or the topics of consideration at the conference at Rio and a resolution was adopted ny that conference recommending 10 the respective governments represented 'to consider the advisabiltty Of asking the Secand Peace Conference at The Hague to examine the question of the compulsory collection of public debts, and in general, means tending to dim finish among nations conflicts Of pure ly peeuniary origin.
 This resolution was supported by the representatives of the United States in accordance with the following
 Tt has long been the established policy of the United States not to use its armed forces for the collection of ordinary contract debts due to its citizens by other governments. We have not considered the use ot force for such a purpose consistent with that respect for the independent sovereign. ty of other members of the family or nations, which Is the most important principle of international law and the chief protection of weak nations against the oppression of the strong, It seems to us that the practice IS injurious in it's general effect upon the relations of nations and upon the wei fare of weak and disordered states whose development ought to pc en- couraged in the interests Of civlllza- tion; that it offers frequent tempta- fion to bullying and oppression and to unnecessary and unjustifiable WarIafe. We regret that other powers, whose opinions and sense of justice WE ssssrlt sss,sl,t view and have permitted themselves, fhough we believe with Reluctance,to collect such debts by forge, dt lS 6opodl public debts may be accompanied by such circumstances of rrauo anu wrongdoing or violation or treaties as to Justify the use of force. This gov eminent would be glad to see an lntef- national consideration or the suDgSSIt which shall discriminate between suen cases and the simple nonipettaoTInsa ipt nnrann' and A resolution in favor or feliance upon peaceful means Tn cases ol 'isS latIer s!It ;a not felt, however. that the conference at Rio should undertake 10 make such a discrimlnation or tSa solve upon such rule. MoSt oi tn American ,d countries the carntries arg i' of Flu rone are the creditors. If the Rlo con ference, therefore, were 10 take sucd @ action 1t would have the aPpeat SiaSS siN,' 1f a Ill fheir creditors should act, ana s tnis tgo,,Id not inspire respect. The true course is indicated by the terms ot the program, whlcn PGo, pfarence where bofb creditors and debtors Will pc aS~ semhled. to consider the subject
 Central America.
 1ast Tune trouble which had existed for some time between the nep1dDI.es of Salvador, Guatemala, and HonGSSiLSnS os,Sien eliminated in war-a wal wTn "n,,nI tbreatened to be ruinous to the coun- trieS involved and very destructlVe to the commercial interests or AIo, AIoet, iSSs..at sI Mexicans, and other foreigners Wo WL da taking an important PSrr Pconntries. The fborouehly good understanding whlc9 exists between the United etates iJ anJ Mexico enabled this Government iso anu tiI,e that of Mexico to unite m eLLectIee roadi+afion between the warning he publics: which meditation resulteu; not Svithout lonk-continued ana RIL. RatLsnSs nS effore. in bringing aeout tha hostiIs now ers on hoard a United states WaFsnlR as neutral territory, ana peacs s,"It there concluded; peace Wnich 1i1tes ed in inc saving of thousands or nvSS and in the prevention of an lncalcut- able amount of misery ana the s., uS struction of property and or the heanst of livelihood. The Rio Conference Pass the following resolution in reference 'o .rThat ffl the Third International Amer ip9l1 Conference SntlA duOASsS " PTesidents of the United States oI America and of the United States or Wexico a note in which the conference which is being held at Rio expresses Sts Satisfaction at the happy results nf their meditation for the celebra- fion of peace between the Republics or Gnatemala, Honduras. and Salvador.
 This affords an excellent example or one way In which the influence of the TInited States can properly be exercised Tor inc benefit of the peoples of the Western Hemisphere; that is, by acc tion taken fin concert with other Amer foam republics and therefore free from those suspicious and prejudices which might attach if the action were taken by one alone. In this way 1t is possible fo exercise a powerful influence tp- ward the substitution of considerate action in the spirit of justice for the inslIrrectionary or international violence which has hitherto been so great Q hindrance to the development of many of our neighbors. Repeated examples of united action by several or many American republics in favor of peace, by urging cool and reasonable. instead of excited and belligePent, treatment of International controversies. can nc fail to promote the growth of a gen. sraI public opinion among the Amer Ican nations which will elevate the