New-York tribune., 1909-12-08

The conference adjourned 20 meet again
on April II. 1910
The International conference for the pur-
rose OF promoting uniform legislation
/ concerning letters of exchange. which was
called by the government OF the Neither
lands 10 meet al The Hague in September.
1909. has been postponed 10 meet az that
capital in June. 1910 The United States
will be appropriately represented in this
conference under the provision therefor al
ready made by Congress
The cordial invitation OF Belgium 20 be
represented by q fitting display of Ameri-
can progress in the useful arts and inven-
tions al the worlds fair 10 be held at
Brussels in 1910 remains TO be acted upon
by the Congress. Mindful OF the advan-
tages 10 accrue 20 our artisans and pro
ducers in competition with their Cont
mental rivals. renew the recommendation
heretofore made that provision be made
Tor acceptance OF the invitation and ade-
quate representation In the exposition.
THE CONGO QUESTION.
The question arising out Of the Belgian
annexation Of the independent State of the
Congo. which has long and earnestly
preoccupied the attention OF thi. govern
ment and enlisted the sympathy OF our
best citizens, is still open but in a more
hopeful stage. This government was among
the foremost in the great work Of uplift-
Ing the uncivilized regions Of Africa and
urging the extension OF the benefits Of
civilization, education and fruitful open
commerce TO that vast domain. and is a
party TO treaty engagements OF all the in
terested powers designed 10 carry out that
great duty 20 humanity. The way 10 bet
ter the original and adventtious conditions.
SO burdensome to the natives and so de-
structive 10 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 programmes 90
reforms, striking at many OF the evils
known 10 exist. are an augury OF better
things. The attitude of the United States
Is one Of benevolent encouragement coupled
with hopeful trust that the good work
responsibly undertaken and zealousiy per-
fected 10 the accomplishment Of the results
so ardently desired. will soon justify the
wisdom that inspires them and satisfy the
demands Of humane sentiment throughout
the world.
A convention between the United States
and Germany. under which the non-work-
ing provisions OF the German patent law
are made inapplicable TO the patents OF
American citizens. was concluded on
February o. 1893, and is now I'm force Ne
gotiauons for similar conventions, looking
10 the placing of American inventors ON
the same footing as nationals, have recent
ly been initiated with other European gov
errinents whose laws require the local
working Of foreign patents.
TTRFPTaN CO,,Nfrssro<
Cnder an appropriation made at the last
session OF the Congress a commission was
sent on American cruisers 20 Monrovia TO
investigate the interests Of the United
states and its citizens in Liberia. Upon its
arrival at Monrovia The commission was
enthusiastically received. and during it's
stay in Liberia was everywhere met with
the hesruest expressions OF good will for
the American government and people, and
the hope was repeatedly expressed on all
sides that this government might See It's
Way clear 10 do something to relieve the
critical position Of the republic arising in q
measure from external as well as internal
and financial cmbsrrassments
The Liberian government AFFORDED every
facility TO the commission for ascertaining
the true state OF affairs. The commission
also had conferences with representative
citizens. interested foreigners and the
representatives Of foreign governments IN
Monrovia. Visits We're made TO various
parts Of the republic and to the neighbor-
ing British colony OF Sierra Leone, where
the commission was received by and con-
ferred with the Governor.
IL will be remembered that the interest
Of. the United States in the Republic Of
Liberia springs from the historical fact OF
~ foundation pf ha
colonization Of American citizens OF the
African race. In an early treaty with
Liberia there is a provision under which
the United States may be called upon for
advice or assistance Pursuant to this BRO
vision and I'm the spirit Of the moral reia-
tionshp of the United States TO Liberia
that republic last year asked this govern
ment 10 lend assistance I'm the solution of
certain of their national problems, ana
hence the commission was sent
The report Of our commissioners has lust
been completed and is now under examina-
tOn 10y the Department Of State IL IS
hoped that there may result some helpful
measures. in which case It may be my
duty again 20 invite your attention 70 this
subject.
The Norwegian government. by 9 note
addressed On January ?s. 1919, 10 the De-
partment of State. conveyed an invitation
10 the government OF tho United States TO
take part IN conference. which n is un-
erstood VII 10 held In February or March
1910. for the purpose of devising means 20
remedy existing conditions I'm the Spitz-
bergen Islands.
This invitation vas conveyed under the
reservation that the question OF altering
the status OF the islands as countries be-
longing 10 no particular state, and as
equally open 10 the citizens and subjects OF
all states, should not be raised
The European powers invited 10 this con-
ferepce by the government OF Norway were
Belgium. Denmark France. Germany
Great Britain. Russia, Sweden and the
Netherlands.
The Department Of State, in view Of
PROOFS filed with Il Ia 1906. showing the
American possession. occupation and work
ing 81 certain coal bearing lands in spitz-
bergen. accepted the invitation under the
reservation above stated. and under the
further reservation that all interests In
those islands already vested should be
protected and that there should be equality
~ opportunity for the future. II was fur
ther pointed out that membership In the
conference on the part OF the United States
was qualified by the considers tion that
this government would not become a sig
natory 10 any conventional Arrangement
concluded by the European members OF
the conference which would imply contrib