Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-12-06

criminate between such cases and the
simple nonperformance Of contract
with a private person and a 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 discrimination or to re-
solve upon such rule. Most of the
American countries are still debtor ma
tons, while the countries of Europe aray
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 secondk
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 4
eliminated in war-a war which threat
ened to be ruinous to the countries in
volved and very destructive to the COM
mercal interests of Americans, Mexi-
cans and other foreigners who are TAX
ing an important part In the develop
ment of these countries. The thorough
ly good understanding which exists be- s
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 brings
ing about meeting of the representa-
tives of the hostile powers on board a
United States ,warship as neutral ter
peace which resulted in the saving of
thousands of lives and in the preven-
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.S
ton in reference to this action:
''That the third international Amer-E
lean conference shall address to the I
presidents Of the United States of
America and of the United States Of
Mexico note in which the conference
which is being held at Rio expresses its
satisfaction at the happy results of
their mediation for the celebration of
peace between the republics of Guate-
mala, Honduras and Salvador"
This affords an excellent example Of
one way in which the influence Of the
United States can properly be exer-
cised for the benefit of the peoples of
the western hemisphere that is, by
action taken in concert with other
American republics and therefore free
from those suspicious and prejudices
which might attach if the action were
taken by one alone. In this way it isl
possible to exercise powerful intlu-F
ence toward the substitution Of consid.
crate action in the spirit of justice fors
the insurrectionary or international
violence which has hitherto been SO
great 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 reason
able instead of excited and belligerent
treatment of International controver-
sizes cannot fail to promote the growth
of general public opinion among the
American nations which will elevate
the standards Of International action,
strengthen the sense of international
duty among governments and tell in
favor of the peace Of mankind.
Panama Trip.
have just returned from a trip to
Panama and shall report to you at
length later on the whole subject of
the Panama canal.
The AIgeciras Convention.
The Algeciras convention, which was
signed by the United States as well as
by most of the powers of Europe, SUI
persedes the previous convention of
1880, which was also signed both bN,(
the United States and majority Of
the European powers. This treaty con-
4 lClS upOh I'd C4udA CVuAlGlCldl IlRulS
with oil European countries and does
not entail single obligation of any
kind upon US, and earnestly hope IT,
may be speedily ratified. To refuse tSS
ratify it would merely mean that we
! forfeited our commercial rights in Mo-
rocco and would not achieve another
object of any kind. In the event Of
such refusal we would be left for the
first time in 100 years without any
commercial treaty with Morocco, andS
this at a time when we are everywhere
seeking new markets and outlets for
trade.
Fur Seals.
The destruction Of the Pribilof is
land fur seals by pelagic sealing still
continues. The herd which, according
to the surveys made in 1874 by direc.