The Forrest City times., 1909-12-10

all foreign governments have continued upon the normal basis of amitY and good understanding, and are very generally satisfactory.
 Latin hmerica.
 one of the happest events in recent Pan-American diplomacy was the pacific. Independent settlement by the govern ments of Bolivia and Peru of boundary difference between them. which for some weeks threatened to cause war and even 10 entrain embittcrments affecting other republics less directly concerned. From various quarters directly or indirectly concerned, the instrumentation of the Uni ted States was sought to assist in q so- lution of the controversy. Desiring at all times 10 abstain from any undue minglng In the affairs of sister republics and hav- Ing faith in the ability of the govern ments of Peru and Bolivia themselves to settle their differences in a manner satis- factory to themselves which. viewed with magnanimity, would assuage all embit- terment, this government steadily ab- stained from being drawn into the con troversy and was much gratified to find It's confidence justified by events. My meeting with President Diaz and the greeting exchanged on both Ameri- can and Mexican soil served l hope. to signaIiZe the close and cordial relations which so well bind together this republic and the great republic immediately to the eCuth, between which there is vast network of material interests
 I am happy to say that all but one of the cases which for so long vexed our relations with Venezuela have been set lied within the past few months and that under the enlightened regime now direct ing the government of Venezuela. provi- sion has been made for arbitration of the remaining case before The Hague tri- bUnal.
 Since the Washington conventions of 1907 were communicated to the govern ment of the United States as q consult ing and advisory party. this government has been almost continuously called upon by one or another. and in turn by all of the five Central American republics to exert itself for the maintenance of the conventions. Nearly every complaint has been against the Zeiaya government of Nicaragua, which has kept Central Amer lea in constant tension and turmoil. The responses made to the representations of Central American republics. as due from the United States on account of it's rela- ton to the Washington conventions have been at all times conservative and have avoided so far as possible. any semhlance of interference, although it is very appar- ent that the considerations Of geograph- ic proximity to the canal zone and of the very substantial American interests in Central America give to the United States a special position in the zone of
 
 need not rehearse here the patient efforts of this government to promote peace and welfare among these repub- lies, efforts which are fully appreciated by the majority of them. who are loyal to their true interests. IL would be no less unnecessary to rehearse here the sad tale of unspeakable barbarities and oppression alleged to have been commit ted by the Zelaya government Recently two Americans were put to death by or der of President Zelaya himself They were officers in the organized forces of revolution which was in control of about half of the republic. and as such according 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 terminated diplomatic relations with the ZeIaya gov ernment for reasons made public in a communication to the former Nicaragua charge dafraires. and is intending to take such future steps as may be found most consistent with it's dignity it's duty 10 American interests and it's moral obliga- tions to Central America and to civiliza- tion.
 Department Of State.
 earnestly recommend to the favor able consideration ot tae congress the es- inmates submitted by the department of state and most especially the leg!s!a- ton sugeested in the secrtary Of states letter of this cate, whereby it will be possible to develop and make permanent the reorganization of the department upon modern lines in manner to make It thoroughly efficient instrument in the furtheranee of our foreign trade and Of American interests abroad. The plan to have divisions of Latin-American and Far-Eastern affairs and to institute a certain specialization in business with Europe and the near east will at once commend itself. These politico- geograph- ical divisions and the detail from the diplomatic or consular service to the department of a number of men who bring to the study of complicated prob | !ems in different parts of the world | practical knowledge recently gained on 1 the spot, clearly Is of the greatest ad- vantage to the secretary Of state in | foreseeing conditions likely to arise and eonductink the great variety of eorre-