The sun., 1906-12-05

first time the recognized posse6sors OF every
foot Of soil upon the American oontinenps can
the Acknowledged rights OF equal
sovereign States In the great World Con-
Rress at The Hague. This will be the
worlds formal and final acceptance OF the
declaration that no part OF the American
continents is to be deemed subject TO colo.
nization Let US pledge ourselves to aid
each other in the full performance OF the
duty to humanity which that acccpted
declaration implies. 30 that In time tno
weakest and most unfortunate OF our re,
pubics may come TO march with equal
step by the side OF the stronger and more
fortunate. Let US help each other 70 show
that for all the races OF men the liberty
for which we have fought and labored In
the twin sister Of Justice and peace. Let
us unite in creating and maintaining ana
making effective an all-American pubno
national conduct and prevent international
wrong, and narrow the causes or war, and
forever preserve our free lands from the
burden OF such armaments as are massed
behind the frontiers OF Europe, and bring
liberty. so shall come security and pros
perity, production and trade, wealthi
learning, the arts, and happiness for US all
These words appear 20 have been re-
America. They have my hearty approvaij
as am sure they will have yours, and
cannot be wrong In the conv lction tnat
they correctly represent the sentiments OF
the whole American people. L cannot
better characterize the true attitude OF the
United States in its assertion OF the Monroe
Doctrine than in the words OF the distin-
guished former Minister Of Foreign Affairs
OF Argentina, Doctor Drago, in his speech
welcoming Mr.. Root at Buenos Ayres- he
sThe traditional policy of the United
States (which) without sccentuating su-
periority or seeking preponderance, con,
tha
this part Of the world and the control OF
their destinies 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 Argen-
tine and American flags for the reception OF
our representative, there were emblazonsd
not only the names OF Washington and
Jefferson and Marshall. but also, in appre-
cistive recognition of their services to the
cause of South American Independence,
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 -Palacio Monroe.
Our grateful acknowledgements are due
70 the governments and the people OF all
the countries visited by the Secretary Of
State for the courtesy, the friendship and
the honor shown to our country IN their
generous hospitality to him.
In my message to you on Dec. 5, 1906
I called your attention to the embarrass-
ment that might be caused to this Govern
ment by the assertion 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 compulsory
collection might result in the occupation
Of territory tending to become permanent.
l then said:
fused TO enforce such contractual obliga-
tions on behalf OF its citizens by an appeal
to arms. IL is much to be wished that all
foreign governments would take the same
view"
This subject was one OF the topics OF
consideration at the conference at Rio, and
a resolution was adopted by that confer
ence recommending to the respective gov
ernments represented TO consider the ad-
visibility of asking the Second Peace Con-
ference at The Hague to examine the ques-
ton of the compulsory collection OF public
debts, and, in general, means tending to
diminish among nations conflicts OF purely
pecuniary origin"
This resolution was supported by the rep
resentatives Of the United States In Accord
anoe with the following instructions:
1T has long been the established policy
Of the United States not to use its armed
forces for the collection OF ordinary CON-
tract debts due to it's citizens by other
governments. We have not considered
the use of force for such a purpose consistent
with that respect for the independents
sovereignty OF other members OF the family
of nations. which is the most important prin-
ciple OF international law and the chief pro-
lection Of weak nations against the oppres-
sion OF the strong. 1t seems to us that the
practice is injurious in its general effect
upon the relations Of nations and upon the
welfare OF weak and disordered states,
whose development ought to be encouraged
in the interests Of civilization; that it offers
frequent temptation to bullying and op-
preston and to unnecessary and unjus-
tifiable warfare. We regret that other Pow
ers, whose opinions and sense OF justice We
esteem highly, have at times Ia ken differ
ent view and have permitted themselves,
though we believe with reluctance to
collect such debts by force. II is doubtless
true that the non-payment OF public debts
may be accompanied by such circumstances
Of fraud and wrongdoing or violation OF
treaties as to justify the use OF force. This
national consideration Of the subject which
shall discriminate between such cases and
the simple non-perormance OF q contract
with private person, and resolution In
cases of the latter class.
1T is not felt, however, that the confer
ence at Rio should undertake to make
such discrimination or to resolve upon
such a rule. Most OF the American coun-
tries are still debtor nations, while the
countries Of Europe are the creditors.
II the Rio conference. therefore, were 60
take such action It would have the appear
ance Of a meeting Of debtors resolving
how their creditors should act, and this
would not inspire respect. The true course
is Indicated by the terms OF the programme,
which proposes to request the Second
Hague Conference, where both creditors
and debtors will be assembled, to consider
the subject
CENTRAL AMERICA.
Last June trouble which had existed for
some time between the Republics OF Saliva
dor, Guatemala and Honduras culnninated
in war-a war which threatened TO be
ruinous 70 the countries involved and very
destructive to the commercial interests
Of Americans, Mexicans and other foreigners
who are taking an important part In the de-
velopment OF these countries. The
thoroughly good understanding which
exists between the United States and Mexico
enabled this Government and that OF Mexico
to unite in effective mediation between the
warning republics, which mediation re-
suited, not without long-continued and
patient effort, in bringing about a meeting
OF the representative Of the hostile Powers
on board limited Stafaa warahin A. nautr.l