The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1906-12-04

building first used for the meeting Of
the conference the name of "Palacio
Monroe" Our grateful acknowledge
ments are due to the governments and
the people Of all the countries visited
by the secretary Of state for the cour-
tesy, 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, 1905. called your attention
to the embarrassment that might be
caused to this government by the as
| sertion by foreign nations Of the right
to collect by force of arms contract
debts due by American republics to
citizens Of the collecting nation and
to the danger that the process Of COM
pulsory collection might result in the
occupation of territory tending to be-
come permanent l then said:
"Our own government has always re-
fused to enforce such contractual OBJ
legations on behalf Of it's citizens by
an appeal to arms. 1t Is much to be
wished that all foreign governments
would take the same view"
South American Debts.
This subject was one Of the topics Of
consideration at the conference at Rio,
and resolution was adopted by that
conference recommending to the re-
spective governments represented Ito
consider the ACCESSIBILITY Of asking the
second peace conference at The Hague
to examine the question Of the compul-
sorry collection of public debts and in
general means tending to diminish
among nations conflicts Of purely Pc
cuniary origin"
This resolution was supported BY the
representatives Of the United States in
! accordance with the following instruc-
tons:
1T has long been the established pol
icy of the United States not to use its
armed forces for the collection of or
binary contract debts due to it's citi-
zens by other governments. We have
| not considered the use Of force for
! such q purpose consistent with that re-
spect for the independent sovereignty
of other members of the family Of ma
tons 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 develop
ment ought to be encouraged in the
interests of civilization; that it offers
frequent temptation to bullying and
oppression and to unnecessary and un-
! justi6able warfare We regret that
| other powers. whose opinions and
sense of justice we esteem highly, have
at times taken a different view and
have permitted themselves. though we
| believe with reluctance, to collect such
debts by force. 1t is doubtless true
| that the nonpayment of public debts
may be accompanied by such circum-
stances of fraud and wrongdoing or
violation of treaties as to justify the
| use Of force. This government would
| be glad to see an international consid-
era ton Of the subject which shall dis
! criminate between such cases. and the
simple nonperformance of contract
| with a private person and resolution
| in favor of reliance upon peaceful
means in cases of the latter class.
ut is not felt, however, that the con-
| ference at Rio should undertake to
make such a discrimination or to re-
solve upon such rule. Most Of the
| American countries are still debtor ma
tons. while the countries of Europe are
! the creditors. If the Rio conference,
| therefore, were to take such action it
| would have the appearance of meet
ing of debtors resolving how their cred
| itors should act, and this would not
| inspire respect. The true course is in
dicated by the terms Of the programme,
which proposes to request the second
Hague conference, where both cred
itors and debtors will be assembled. to
, consider the subject.
| Central America.
Last June trouble which had existed
! for some time between the republics of
Salvador. Guatemala and Honduras
eliminated in war-a war which threat
ened to be ruinous to the countries in
! volved and very destructive to the COM
i mercial interests of Americans, Next
cans and other foreigners who are tax
ing an important part in the develop
ment of these countries. The thorough
lyl good understanding which exists be-.
tween the United States and Mexico
enabled this government and that OF
Mexico to unite in effective mediation
between the warning republics, which
mediation resulted. not without long
continued and patient effort, in bring
ing about meeting Of the representa-.
tives of the hostile powers on board a
United States warship as neutral ter
ritory, and peace was there concluded
peace which resulted in the saving of
thousands of lives and in the proven
ton Of an incalculable amount of mis-
cry and the destruction Of property and
of the means of livelihood. The Rio
conference passed the following resolu-
L. T.