Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-12-07
PRESIDENT TAFT'S FIRST MESSAGE TO CONGRES


further pointed out that membership
in the conference on the part or 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 ad-
ministration which might be devised
by the conference for the islands.
The Near East.
His majestye Mehmud ", sultan OF
Turkey, recently sent to this country
a special embassy to announce his ac-
cession. The quick transition Of the
government of the Ottoman empire
from one of retrograde tendencies to
constitutional government with par
lament 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 nave Tue eyes u Inc
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
cfflc, 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
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
nantmity, would assuage all imbitter-
ment, this government steadily alb
stained from being drawn into the
and was much gratified to
find it's 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 its 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 representa-
tive delegation qualified fittingIy to
represent this country and to deal with
the problems of intercontinental in.
terest which will there be discussed.
The Argentine Republic will also
hold from May to November, 1910, at
BuenoS Aires great international
agricultural exhibition, in which the
United States has been invited to par
ticipate. Considering the rapid growth
of the trade of the United States with
the Argentine Republic and the cor
dial relations existing between the
two nations, together with the fact that
it provides an opportunity to show def
erence to a sister republic on the &C.
casion of the celebration of its national
independence. the proper departments
of this government are taking steps to
apprise the interests concerned of the
opportunity afforded by this exhibit
ton, In which appropriate participa-
ton by this country is so desirable.
The designation of an official repre-
sentative is also receiving considera-
ton