The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-07


Claim Against Chile.
Many years ago diplomatic interven-
ton became necessary to the protec-
ton of the interests in the American
claim of Alsop & Co. against the
government OF Chile. The govern :
ment OF Chile had frequently admitted
obligation in the case and had prom
1sed this government to settle it. There
had been two abortive attempts to do
so through arbitral commissions which
failed through lack of Jurisdiction.
Now, happily, as the result of the re-
cent diplomatic negotiations, the gov
ernments of the United States and of
Chile, actuated by the sincere desire
to free from any strain both cordial
and friendly relations upon which both
set such store, have agreed by proto-
col to submit the controversy to defini-
tive settlement by his Britannia majes-
ty Edward VII
Since the Washington conventions of
1907 were communicated to the gov
eminent of the United States as con-
sulting and advising party this gov
eminent has been almost continuously
called upon by one or another and in
turn by all of the five Central Amer
lean republics to exert itself for the
maintenance of the conventions. Near
ly every complaint has been against
the Zelaya government of Nicaragua,
which has kept Central America in
constant tension or turmoil. The re-
SpOnSeS made to the representations
of Central American republics as due
from the United States on account of
its relation to the Washington conven-
lions have been at all times conserva-
tive and have avoided, so far as posi-
BILE, any semblance of interference, al
though it is very apparent that the
considerations of geographic proximity
, to the canal zone and of the very sub
stantial American interests in Central
America give to the United States.
special position in the zone of these
republics and the Caribbean sea.
1 need not rehearse here the patient
efforts Of this government to promote
peace and welfare among these re-
publics, efforts which are fully appre-
ciated by the majority of them who
are loyal to their true interests. 1t
would be no less Unnecessary to re-
hearse here the sad tale Of unspeaka-
BILE barbarities and oppression alleged
to have been committed by the Zelaya
government. Recently two Americans
were put to death by order of Presi-
dent Zelaya himself. They were Off
GERS in the organized forces of rev.
i olutiOn which had continued many
weeks and was in control of about
half Of the republic, and as such, &C.
cording to the modern enlightened
practice of civilized nations, they were
entitled to be dealt with as prisoners
of war.
At the date when this message is
printed this government has termi-
mated diplomatic relations with the
Zelaya government for reasons made
public in communication to the for
mer Nicaraguan charge d'affaires and
is intending to take such future steps
as may be found most consistent with
itsR dignity, its duty to American in
terests and its moral obligations to
Central America and to civilization. It
may later be necessary for me to bring
this subject to the attention of the
congress in a special message.
Bureau of American Republics.
The International bureau of Amer
lean republics has carried on an impor-
tant and increasing work during the
last year. In the exercise of it's pecul-
lar functions as an international agen-
cy, maintained by all the American
republics for the development of pam
American commerce and friendship, it
has accomplished a great practical
good which could be done in the same
way by no individual department or bu-
reau of one government and is there
fore deserving of your liberal support.
The fact that it is about to enter new
building, erected through the munifi-
cence of an American philanthropist
and the contributions. of all the Amer
lean nations, where both its efficiency
of administration and expense of main
tenance will naturally be much aug
mented, further entities it to special
consideration.
The Far East.
In the far east this government pre-
serves unchanged it's policy of support
ing the principle Of equality of oppor-
tunity and scrupulous respect for the
integrity Of the Chinese empire, to
which policy are pledged the interested
powers of both. east and west.
By the treaty of 1908 China has un-
dertaken the abolition of likin with a
| moderate and proportionate raising of
the customs tariff along with currency
reform. These reforms being of mani
fest advantage to foreign commerce as
well as TO the interests of China, this
government is endeavoring to facili-
| tate these measures and the needful
acquiescence of the treaty powers.
When it appeared that Chinese likin
revenues were to be hypothecated to
| foreign bankers in connection with a
L