The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-12-07
Helping Liberia.

torical fact of the foundation of the republic by the colonization of Ameri- can 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 provi- 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 unden examination by the department of state. It 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. 20. 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- iSllhB ConuibohS Ah thc opil1OeA eeu 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-, gems and subjects of all states should not be raised
 The European powers invited to this 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. It was further pointed out that membership fin the conference on the part of the United States was qualified by the consideration that this government
 
 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 majesty Mehmud V., sultan of Turkey, recently sent to this country a special embassy to announce his ac- The quick transition of the government of the Ottoman empire from one of retrograde tendencies to government with a par liament and with progressive modern policies of reform and public improve ment is one of the important phenome- na of our times. Constitutional gov ernment seems also to have made further advance in Persia. These events have turned 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, 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 | diplomacy was the pa cinc, independent settlement by the | governments of Bolivia and Peru of a | difference between them, | which for some weeks threatened to | cause war and even to entrain inn affecting other republics | less directly concerned. From various quarters, directly or indirectly con- the intermediation of the | United States was sought to assist ff | a solution of the controversy. Desir | Ing at all times to abstain from any undue mfngiing in the affairs of sister republics and having faith in the abil- ty of the governments of Peru and | Bolivia themselves to settle their diff ference in a manner satisfactory to which, viewed with mag would assuage all imbitter- ment, this government steadily ab- stained from being drawn into the and was much gratified to fnd it's confidence justified by events.
 On the 9th of July next there will open at Buenos Aires the fourth pan- American conference. This conference win have a special meaning to the hearts of all Americans because lround its date are clustered the annI- of the Independence of so many of the American republics. It is not necessary for me to remind the congress of the political. social and importance of these gath rings. You are asked to make liberal for our participation. If his be granted 1t is my purpose to ppoint distinguished and representa- i've delegation qualified fittingly to epresent this country and to deal with he problems of intercontinental in- crest which will there be discussed.
 The Argentine Republic will also lold from May to November. 1910. at 3uenos Aires a great international