New-York tribune., 1906-12-05

the conviction that they correctly represent the
| cannot better characterize the true attitude OF
the United States In its assertion OF the Monroe
| Doctrine than in the words Of the distinguished
former Minister Of Foreign Affairs Of Argen-
| tina, DR.. Drago, In his speech welcoming MT
Root at Buenos Ayres He spoke Of
PHsy of the limited @
| derance. condemned the oppression of the nations
| destnies by the great powers of Europe
It is gratifying to know that in the great city
| of Buenos Ayres. upon the arches which spanned
| the streets entwined with Argentine and Amer
| lean flags for the reception OF our representa-
| tive there were emblazoned not only the names
| of Washington and Jefferson and Marshall. but
4 also. in appreciative recognition of their ser
vices to the cause of South American indepen-
| dence, the names of James Monroe. John Quincy
Adams Henry Clay and Richard Rush. We
take especial pleasure in the graceful courtesy
of the government of Brazil which has given to
| the beautiful and stately building first used for
| the meeting of the conference the name of Pa
| lacio Monroe" Our grateful acknowledgements
are due to the governments and the people or
| all the countries visited by the Secretary OF
State for the courtesy, the friendship and the
honor shown to country in their generous
hospitality to him.
| In my message to you December 8, 1905.
/ called attention to the embarrassment
that might be caused TO this government by the
assertion by foreign nations of the right to col
lect by force Of arms contract debts due by
American republics to citizens of the collecting
nation, and to the danger that the process or
| compulsory collection might result in the occu-
| patton of territory tending to become perma-
uent 1 tnen said.
| Our own government has always refused to en-
force such contractual obligations behalf of it's
Cltlzens I by an appeal to arms. II Is mucn 10 be
| same view
This subject was Of the topics OF consid-
| Grafton at the conference at Rio and resolu-
ton was adopted by that conference recon-
| fnending to the respective governments repre-
sented Ito consider the advisability of asking
the second peace conference at The Hague to
| examine the question Of the compulsory col
lection Of public debts. and in general. means
tending to diminish among nations conflicts Of
purely pecuniary origin
| This resolution supported by the repre-
sentatves Of the United States. in accordance
| with the following Instructions:
1t has long been the established policy of the
United States not to its armed forces for the
collection OF ordinary contract debts due to its cit
ered the use of force for such purpose consistent
of the fm oa Nations
is the most Important principle Of nernational law
the oppression of the strong. 1t seems to US that
the relations of nations and upon the, welfare Of
weak and disordered states whose deyel9pmsent ~
ton; that it offers frequent temptation to bullying
warfare. We regret that other powers whose
opinions and sense OF Justice we esteem tee hishly
aes to scb Ssts s 4de h II Is ouS
less true that the nonpayment Of public debts may
be accompa1ied by such creumsanees of Of fraud fraud
the use Of force. This government would be glad
which shall discriminate between such cases and
the simple non-pertormance Of contract with a
ance upon peaceful means in cases Of the latter
class
1t is not felt however that the conference at Rio
should undertake to make such a discrmination or
countries are still debtor nations, While the coun-
tries of Europe are the creditors If the Rio confer
ence. therefore, were to take such action it would
& nave the appearance Of meeting OF debtors re
would not inspire respect. The true course is in
poses to request the ' second Hague Conference
where both creditors and debtors will be assembled
| Last June trouble which had existed for
| time between the republics of Salvador. Guate-
| nala and Honduras eliminated In war-a war
which threatened to be
Central America. ruinous to the countries in
volved and very destructive
| TO the commercial interests of Americans Mex-
! cans and other foreigners who taking
| important part in the development of these
countries. The thoroughly good understanding
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
| bringing about meeting of the representatives
| OF the hostile powers board United States
| warship as neutral territory. and peace was
| there concluded; peace which resulted IN the
| saving Of thousands Of lives and in the preven-
| ton Of an incalculab BILE amount Of misery and
| the destruction OF property and of the means
| of livelihood. The Rio conference passed the
following resolution In reference to this action:
| That the third International American conference
| of America and OF the United States of Mexico a
note in which the conference which is being heI4-
results of their mediation for the celebration OF
| peace between the republics OF Guatemala Hon
| duras and Salvador
This affords an excellent example of one way
| in which the influence of the United States can
properly be exercised for the benefit of the peo-
| pies OF the Western Hemisphere; that is. by
action taken in concert with other American
! republics and therefore free from those sus-
| pcions and prejudices which might attach if
| the action taken by alone. In this Wav
| 1t is possible TO exercise a powerful influence
| toward the substitution Of Considerate action in
the spirit of justice for the inSurrectionary or
| international violence which has hitherto been
| SO great hindrance to the development of many
! of neighbors. Repeated examples of united
| action by several many American republics
in favor of peace. by urging cool and reasonable
| instead of excited and pelligerent treatment of
International controversies. cannot fail TO pro-
| mote the growth of q general public oninion
among the American nations which will elevate
the standards of international action, strengthen
ments. and tell in favor Of the peace of man
| kind.
1 have just returned from trip TO Panama
and shall report TO YOU at
| Panama Trip. length later on the whole sub
ject of the Panama Canal
| The Algeciras Convention. which was signed
| by the United States as well most of the
powers of Europe, supersedes the previous con-
| venton of 1880, which was
! The Asecras also signed both by The United
Convention. States and majority of the
European powers. This treaty
| confers upon' us equal commercial rights with
| all European countries and does entail
single obligation of any kind upon u.s. and |
! earnestly hope it may be speedily ratified To
refuse 10 ratfy il would merely mean that we
! forfeited commercial rights in Morocco and
/ would not achieve another object of any kind
| In the event of such refusal would he left
! for the first time in hundred and twenty
| years without any commercial treaty with
| Morocco; and this at a time when we are every
where seeking new markets and outlets fcr