Gainesville daily sun. (Gainesville, Fla.) 190?-1938, 1906-12-06

/ NN'iNiNi ~ thSlI uc5liDleS Dy the great
powers Of Europe"
II is gratifying to know that in the
great city OF Buenos Ayres upon the
arches which spanned the streets in
twined with Argentine and American
days for the reception OF our repre-
sentative there were emblazoned not
only the names OF Washington and
Jefferson and Marshall. but also. in
appreclative recognition Of their seFv-
ices to the cause OF South American in
dependence. the names OF James Mon
roe. 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 "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
sertlon 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 then said:
"Our own government has always re-
fused to enforce such contractual OBJ
legations ON behalf OF its 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 ut the conference at Rio,
and a resolution was adopted by that
conference recommending TO the re-
spective governments represented ito
consider the ACCESSIBILITY of asking the
second peace conference Mt 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
cunlury origin"
This resolution was supported by the
representatives Of the United States In
accordance with the following instruc-
tons;
1T mas long been the established pol
Icy OF the United States not to use It's !
armed forces for the collection OF or
binary contract debts due TO It's clti-
zens by other governments. We have
not considered the use OF force for |
such purpose consistent with that re
spect for the independent sovereignty |
OF other members OF the family OF na.
lions which Is the most important |
principle OF international law and the
chief protection OF weak nations against /
the oppression Of the strong. Il seems
to us that the practice Is Injurious In
It's general effect upon the relations OF
nations and upon the welfare Of weak /
aud dsordered states whose develop /
ment ought TO be encouraged In the
Interests OF civilization: that Il offers
frequent temptation TO bullying and
oppression and 20 unnecessary and IN
justlhable 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 II Is doubtless true
that the nonpayment OF public debts
may be accompanied by such circum
stances OF fraud and wrongdolng or
violation Of treaties as to justify the
use OF force. This government would
be glad 10 see an International consld-
Grafton OK the subjeS which shall dis
crlmlnate between such cases and the
simple nonpeFformanoe Of a contract
with a private person and resolution
In favor OF reliance upon peaceful
means IN cases OF the latter class
1T Is not felt. however. that the con
ference al Rio should undertake 10
make sneh a Discrimination or 20 re
solve upon such a rule y 81 OF tue
Anericaa countries are EtillNcbios ua
uoas. while the countries Of Euro1e arr
the creditors n the rio conferclce
thercgsro were 20 take such action u
wonld have tie appearance az a u.e2i
ing OF deht3rs resolving how the,r crcl
i,ors should act. aud tbs wout q
lnspirc rcsaect The tree coase is o.
dicated Oy the tcrms % the pro rammc
which pranrcs 90 reQptEi us sccona
Iiarue cbniercncc, where bQh rrc4
ltors and debtors viz o. assc-a sled. %