The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-04
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT DISCUSSES MANY SUBJECTS

the seals killed were females and the
work was done with frightful 6arbarity.
Many of the seals appear 10 have been
skinned alive and many were found half
skinned and still alive The raids were re-
PEELED only by the use OF firearms. and
| five OF the raiders were killed. two were
wounded. and twelve captured, Including
| the two wounded Those captured have
since been tried and sentenced TO impris-
| onment. An attack OF this kind had been
| wholly unlookt for. but such provision of
vessels, arms. and ammunition will now
| be made that it's repetition will not be
! found profitable.
| Suitable representations regarding the
Incident have been made to the govern
ment OF Japan. and we are assured that
| all practicable measures will be taken by
| that country 10 prevent any recurrence OF
J the outrage On our part, the guard on
the island will be increased. and better
equipped and organized. and better
, revenue-cutter patrol service about the
/. Islands will be established; next season a
United States war vessel will also be sent
| there.
We have not relaxed our efforts TO Sc
| cure an agreement with Great Britain for
| adequate protection OF the seal herd, and
negotiations with Japan for the same
purpose are In progress.
| The laws for the protection OF the seals
within the jurisdiction OF the United
States need revision and amendment. Only
| the Islands OF st. Paul and St George are
now, In terms. included In the government
| reservation. and the other islands are al
so to be included. The landing of aliens
as well as citizens upon the islands, with
out permit from the department OF COM
merce and labor, for any purpose except
In case OF stress OF weather or for water,
should be prohibited under adequate PEN
| alties The approach OF vessels for the ex-
| cepted purposes should be regulated The
! authority OF the government agents on
the islands should be enlarged and the
chief agent should have the powers OF
committing magistrate. The entrance of a
vessel into the territorial waters surround
, ing the islands with intent TO take seals
should be made criminal offense and
| cause OF forfeiture. Authority for seiz-
| ures In such cases should be given and the
presence on any such vessel OF seals or
| sealskins, or the paraphernalia for taking
| them, should be made prima facie evil
dence OF such intent. 1 recommend what
| legislation Is needed TO accomplish these
| ends; and / commend to your attention
the report OF Mr.. Sims, OF the department
OF commerce and labor .on this subject.
In case We are compelled TO abandon the
| nope or making arrangements with other
| governments TO put an end TO the hid
eous cruelty now incident to pelagic seal
| ing. II Will be a question for your Sc
| rious consideration how far we should
continue to protect and maintain
the seal herd on land with the result of
CO ntinuing such practise, and whether
| lt is not better To end the practise by ex-
terminating the herd ourselves in the
most humane way possible.
Second Hague Conference.
| III my last message / advised you that
| the emperor OF Russia had faLap In
| itative In bringing about "A second peace
| conference at The Hague. Under the
| guidance OF Russia the arrangement OF
| the preliminaries for such a conference
has beer progressing during the past
| year. Progress has necessarily been slow
| owing TO the great number of countries
| TO be consulted upon every question that
| has arisen. IL Is a matter OF satisfaction
| that all the American republics have now,
| fol the first time, been invited TO join in
| the proposed conference.
| The close connection between the SUBJ
jccts TO be taken up by the Red Cross
conference held at Geneva last summer
| and the subjects which naturally would
| come before The Hague conference, made
| it apparent that II was desirable TO have
the work OF the Red Cross conference
| completed and considered by the different
| powers before the meeting at The Hague
| The Red Cross conference ended its la
] bors on the 9th day OF July and the
| revised and amended convention. which
| was signed by the American delegates
| w!ll be promptly laid before the senate.
| BY the special and highly appreciated
| courtesy OF the government OF Russia and
| the Netherlands, a proposal TO call The
| Hague conference together at a time
| which would conflict with the conference
| OF the American republics at Rio de Ja-
| neiro I'm August was laid aside. No other
| dale has vet been suggested. A tenta-
| tive program for the conference has been
| proposed by the s,overnment of Russia.
| and the subjects which il enumerates are
| undergoing careful examination and con-
| sidtration in preparation for the confer
| euce
Peace and Righteousness.
| l. must ever be kept in mind that war is
| rot merely justiiable, but imperative.
| upon honorable men, upon an honorable
nation, where peace can only be obtained
/ by the sacrifice OF conscientious convic-
tion or of national welfare. Peace is nor
! mally a great good, and normally IL coin
cides with righteousness; but it is right
ecusness and not peace which should bind
| the conscience of a nation as IL should
bind the conscience OF an individual; and
| neither a nation nor an individual can
| sure nder conscience 10 another's keeping.
, Neither can n nation which is an entity,
| and which does not die az individuals die.
refrain from taking thought for the inter.
est OF the generations that are 10 come no
! ton Of today; and no public men have a
| riglA whether from shortsightedness,
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