The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1909-12-07

] MlUUnUIl
the 28th OF September last and result
ed In the signature nd referendum OF
q convention for the unifjcattOn OF GER
tain regulations with regard to mari
time assistance and salvage and con-
ventfon for the unffication Of certain
rules with regard to collisions at sea.
Two new projects Of conventions
which hava not heretofore been con-
siHered In a diplomatic conference
namely. one concerning the limitation
o. the responsibility Of shipowners
aud the other concerning marine mort
cages and pFivileges-have been sub
ferent governments.
The conference adjourned to meet
again on April II. 1910.
The International conference for the
purpose Of promoting uniform legisla-
ton concerning letters Of exchange,
which was called by the government
of the Netherlands to meet at The
Hague In September, 1900. has been
postponed to meet at that capital In
June. 1910. The United States will be
appropriately represented In this con-
ference under the provision therefor
already made by congress.
The cordial invitation Of Belgium to
be represented by fitting display Of
American progress In the useful arts
and inventions at the worlds fair to
be held at Brussels in 1910 remains to
be acted upon by the congress. Mind
| ful Of the advantages to accrue to our
| artisans and producers in competition
with their continental rivals, I renew
| the recommendation heretofore made
that provision be made for acceptance
Of the invitation and adequate repre-
sentation in the exposition.
The question arising out Of the Bel
gian annexation Of the Independent
State OF the Kongo. which has so long
and earnestly preoccupied the atten-
! ton of this government and enlisted
| the sympathy of our best citizens, is
still open. but In a more hopeful stage.
This government was among the fore
most In the great work of uplifting
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 party to treaty engagements
Of all the interested powers designed
to carry out that great duty to human
ity. The way to better the original
and adventitious conditions, so bur-
densome to the natives and so de-
structive to their development, has
been pointed out, by observation and
experience. not alone Of American rep
resentatives, but by cumulative evi-
dence from all quarters and by the In
vestigations Of Belgian agents. The
announced programs Of reforms,
striking at many Of the evils known
! to exist are an augury of better
things. The attitude Of the United
States is one Of benevolent encourage
ment, coupled with a hopeful trust
that the good work, responsibly under
taken and zealously perfected to 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.
| German Patents.
A convention between the United
States and Germany. under which the
nonworking provisions Of the German
patent law are made inapplicable to
the patents Of American citizens. was
concluded on Feb. %, 1909. and is now
in force. Negotiations for similar con.
ventions looking to the placing OF
American inventors on the same foot.
ing as nationals have recently been
initiated with other European govern.
ments whose laws require the local
working Of foreign patents.
Under an appropriation made at the
last session Of the congress commits
sion was sent on American cruisers
to 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 its stay in Ii
IBERIA was everywhere met with the
heartiest expressions Of good will for
the American government and people,
and the hope was repeatedly expressed
on all sides that this government
might see its way clear to do some
thing to relieve the critical position OF
the republic arising in measure from
external as well as internal and flnan.
cial embarrassments.
The Liberian government afforded
every facility to the commission fol
ascertaining the true state of affairs
The commission also had conferences
with representative citizens. interest
ed foreigners and the representatives
Of foreign governments In Monrovia
Visits were made to various parts ol
the republic and to the neighborina
British colony Of Sierra Leone, where
the commission was received by and
conferred with the governor.
i Helping Liberia.
i It will be remembered that the in
terest Of the United States in the re
public OF Liberia springs from the his
torical fact of the foundation of the
republic by the colonization Of Ameri
can citizens Of the African race. II
an early treaty with Liberia there Is 9
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
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