The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-12-08

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certain rules with regard Ia collisions
at sea
The new projects of conventions
which have not heretofore been con
sidercd in diplomatic conference.
namely, one concerning the limitation
Of the responsibility Of ship owners
and the other concerning marine mort
cages and privileges. have been sub
mittcd by the conference to the diff
ferent governments The conference
adjourned tn meet again on April H.
1910.
The international conference for the
purpose Of promoting uniform legisla-
ton concerning letters Of exchange.
which was called by the government
OF The Netherlands to meet at The
Hague in September. 1909. has been
postponed 10 meet at the capital i'm
June. 1910. The United States will be
appropriately represented in this con-
ference under the provision therefor
already mad. by congress.
Tn. cordial invitation or Belgium to
hn represented by a fitting display of
American progress in the useful arts
and inventions mt the worlds fair to he
held AT Brussels in 1910. remains To b.
s dStth pun ny the congress. MINDFUL
Of the advantages to accrue to our ar
tlsans and producers in competition
with their continental rivals, | renew
the recommendations heretofore made
that provisions be made for acceptance
/ of the invitation and adequate repre-
s.ntation in the exposition.
The question arising out of the Bel
gian annexation Of the independent
state of the Congo. which has 50 long
and earnestly preoccupied the atten-
ton of this government and enlisted
/ the sympathy of our best citizens fs
/ still open. but in n more hopeful stage.
| This government was among the fore
i most in the great work of uplifting
/ the unciyilized regions of Africa and
urging the extension of the benefits
i of civilization. education and fruitful
i open commerce tn that vast domain,
and II a party to treaty engagements
Of all the Interested pow ars designed to
/ carry out that great duty to humanity.
the way to better the original and ad-
rentitious conditions so burdensome
to the natives and so destructive to
their development has been pointed
out by observation and experience
not alone of American representatives
but by cumulative evidence from all
quarters and by the Investigations of
Belgian agents. The announced pro-
grams Of reforms. striking at many nf
the evils said to exist, are an augur,
Of better things. The attitude of the
United States is one of benevolent en-
eouraSement. coupled with n hopeful
trust that the good work responsibility
undertaken and zealously perfected to
ff.lE
IDENTIFY desired. will soon Justify the
wisdom that inspires them and satisfy
the demands Of humane sentiment
throughout the world
convention between the United
States and Germany. under which the
nonrworking provisions OF the German
patent law are made ipapplicabie to
the patents of American citizens. was
concluded on February 20. 1909. and
Is nov in force. Negotiations for sim
liar convent ons looking tn the placing
OF American inventors on the same
footing as other nationalitics have re-
Gently been initiated with other Euro +
mean governments whose laws require |
the local working of foreign patents.
'nder an appropriation made 1T the
last session nf the congress n com /
"'SNi'h Was sfIl On american cruisers /
To Monrov.a To investigate the inter /
ests OF the United States and its citi- /
zens in Liberia. Upon its arrival In
M"nroria the commission was enthusf- |
astically received and during its STAY
In Liberia was everywhere met with
the heartiest expression of good will
Tor the American government and peo-
pie and the hope was repeatedly ex-
EaI np
ment might see its way clear tn do
something tn relieve the critical posi- /
ton of the republic. arising i'm a meas
nre from external. rs well as internal |
and financial embarrassment.
The Liberian government afforded
every facility tn the commission for
ascertaining the true state of affairs
The commission also had conferences
with representative citizens. interested
foreigners and the representatives nj
foreign governments in Monravia. Wis
lis We're made 10 various PARTS Of the
republic and to the neighboring Brit
lsh colony of Syria Leon. where the
commission Was received and conferred
with the governor. II will he remam-
hered that the interest of the United
states in the republic of Liberia
springs from the historical fact nf the
foundation nf the republic by the col
oni2ation nf American citizens of tho
African race. In an early treaty with
Liberia there il provision under
which the United States nay be called
upon for advice ar assistance. pur-
suant to this provision and in the spirit
nj the moral relationship of the United
states tn Liberia. that republic last
year asked this government to lend
assistance in the solution of certain of
their national problems and hence the
commission was sent
The report of our commissioners
has just been completed and Is now
under examination by the department
Of state. IL is hoped that they result
in some hopefCl measures. in which
ease 1t may be my duty again To in
Wit" your attention Ia this subject.
The Norwegian government. by
note addressed on January &c. 1909. 10
the department of state. conveyed an
invitation In the government of the
United states To take part in a con
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