Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1906-12-08

independence IL the elections become
a farce and II the insurrectionary habit
becomes confirmed on the island it il
absolutely out of the question that the
island should continue independent,
and the United States. which has as
sumed the sponsorship before the civ
ilized world for Cubas career as ma
ton, would again have to intervene
and to see that the government was
managed in such orderly fashion as to
secure the safety OF life ana property.
THE RIO CONFERENCE
The second international conference
OF American republics, held in Mexi-
co in the years f9Ol.02, provided for
the holding Of the third conference
within Ave 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
1t with marked fidelity and pains
taking care, and upon the courteous
invitation of the United States Of Bra
I'll the conference was held at Rio de
Janeiro, continuing from the 23d OF
July to the Goth of August last Many
subjects of common interest to all the
American nations were discussed by
the conference, and the conclusions
reached, embodied In a series of resolu-
lions and proposed conventions, win be
laid before you upon the coming of the
final report OF the American delegates
PANAMA TRIP.
have just returned from trip to
Panama and shall report 10 you at
length later on the whole subject of the
Panama canal.
THE ALGEcIRAS 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 by
the United States and majority OF
the European powers. This treaty
confers upon us equal commercial
rights with all European countries and
does not entail single obligation Of
any kind upon us, and earnestly hope
II may be speedily ratified.
SEALING.
The destruction OF the PribIlof is-
land fur seals by pelngic sealing still
continues. The herd, which, according
TO the survey made In 1874 by direc-
ton of the congress, numbered AGO.
600, and which, according to the sur
vey of both American and Canadians
commissioners In 1891. amounted to
100000. has now been reduced to
about 10000. This result has been
brought about by Canadian and some
other sealing vessels killing the female
seals while In the water during their
annual pilgrimage to and from the
south or In search OF food.
The process of destruction has BEEN
accelerated during recent years by the
appearance of number OF Japanese
vessels engaged In peIaglc sealing.
Suitable representations regarding
the incident have been made to the
government OF Japan, and we are as
sured that all practicable measures will
be taken by that country to prevent
any recurrence OF the outrage.
We have not relaxed our efforts to
secure an agreement with Great Brit
ain for adequate protection of the seal
herd. and negotiations with Japan for
the same purpose are In progress.
Thelawsfor the protection of the seals
within the jurisdiction Of the United
States need revision and amendment.
SECOND HAGUE CONFERENCE.
In my last message | advised you.
that the emperor OF Russia had taken
the initiative IN bringing about sec
ond peace conference at The Hague.
Under the guidance Of Russia the ar
rangement OF the prclmlnaries for
such conference has been progressing
during the past year. Progress has
necessarily been slow, owing to the
great number Of counts 10 be con-
suited upon every orc ton that has
arisen. II Is matter Of satisfaction
that all of the American republics have
now, for the first tlnc. been invited to-
join In the proposed conference.
ARMY AND NAVY.
II must ever be kept in mind that
war is not merely Unstable. but i'm
perative upon honorable men, upon an
honorable nation, where peace can
only be obtained by the sacrifice OF
conscientious conviction or Of national
welfare.
The United States navy is the surest
guarantor of peace which this country
possesses. | do not ask that we con
time to increase our navy. ask
merely that IL be maintained at its
present strength, and this cap be demo
only II we replace the obsolete aLl OFT.
worn ships by new and good ones, the
equals Of any afioat in any navy TO
stop building ships for one year means
that for that year the navy goes back
instead OF forward.
In both the army and the navy there
is urgent need that everything possible
should be done TO maintain the highest
standard for the personnel alike as re-