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

sion and in the spirit Of the moral re-
lationship of the United States to
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. 1t is hoped that there may re-
suit some helpful measures, In which
case it may be my duty again to invite
your attention to this subject.
The Norwegian government, by a
note addressed on Jan. &c, 1909, to the
department of state, conveyed an invi-
tation to the government of the United
States to take part in a conference
which it is understood will be held in
February or March, 1910, for the pur-
pose of devising means to remedy ex-
listing conditions in the Spitzbergen
islands.
This invitation was conveyed under
the reservation that the question of
altering the status of the islands as
countries belonging to no particular
state and as equally open to the citi-
zens and subjects of all states should
not be raised.
conference by the government Of Nor
way were Belgium, Denmark, France,
Germany, Great Britain, Russia, Swe-
den and the Netherlands.
The department of state, in view of
proofs filed with it in 1906, showing
the American possession, occupation
and working of certain coal bearing
lands in Spitzbergen, accepted the in
vitation under the reservation above
stated and under the further reserva-
ton that all interests In those islands
already vested should be protected
and that there should be equality of
opportunity for the future. 1t was
further pointed out that membership
in the conference on the part of the
United States was qualified by the
consideration that this government
would not become a signatory to any
conventional arrangement concluded
by the European members Of the con-
ference which would imply contribu-
tory participation by the United States
in any obligation or responsibility for
the enforcement of any scheme of adj
ministrat ton which might be devised
by the conference for the islands.
The Near East.
His majesty Mehmud ", sultan of
Turkey, recently sent to this country
special embassy to announce his ac-
cession. The quick transition of the
government of the Ottoman empire
from one Of retrograde tendencies to a
constitutional government with par
II. .ment and with progressive modern
policies of reform and public improve
ment is one of the important phenome-
ma of our times. Constitutional gov
eminent seems also to have made
further advance in Persia. These
events have .rned the eyes of the
world upon the near east. In that
quarter the prestige of the United
States has spread widely through the
peaceful influence of American schools,
universities and missionaries. There
is every reason why we should obtain
a greater share Of the commerce of the
near east since the conditions are
more favorable now than ever before.
Latin America.
One of the happiest events in recent
pan-American diplomacy was the pa
cific, independent settlement by the
governments of Bolivia and Peru of
boundary difference between them,
which for some weeks threatened to
cause war and even to entrain i'm
bitterments affecting other republics
less directly concerned. From various
quarters, directly or indirectly con-
cerned, the INTERPRETATION of the
United States was sought to assist in
a solution Of the controversy. Desir-
ing at all times to abstain from any
undue mingling in the affairs of sister
republics and having faith in the abil-
ity of the governments of Peru and
Bolivia themselves to settle their diff
ference In a manner satisfactory to
themselves which, viewed with mag
nanimity, would assuage all imbitter-
ment, this government steadily alb
stained from being drawn into the
controversy and was much gratified to
find its confidence justified by events.
On the 9th of July next there will
open at Buenos Aires the fourth pam
American conference. This conference
will have a special meaning to the
hearts of all Americans because
around it's date are clustered the ami
versaries of the independence of SO
many of the American republics. 1t is
not necessary for me to remind the
congress of the political, social and
commercial importance of these gath
erings. You are asked to make liberal
appropriation for our participation. If
this be granted it is my purpose to
appoint distinguished and represent
ative delegation qualified fittingly to
represent this country and to deal with
a2 iIattax.1alat irao,atal II,