Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1909-12-10
Currency Reform, Waterways, Creation of Body
to Deal With Interstate Commerce
and Other Topics Handled.
Expenditures and Revenues Most Important Question
Relations with Other Nations Nicaragua Excepted,
Are Declared To Be Generally Satisfactory.

the cases which for so long vexed our
| relations with Venezuela have been set
tied 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.
On July 30. 1909. the government Of
Panama agreed. after considerable nego-
tiation. to indemnify the relatives of the
American officers and sailors who were
brutally treated, onS of them having, in
deed, been killed by the Panama police
this year
The sincere desire of the government Of
Panama to do away with situation
where such an accident could occur Is
manifest in the recent request in compli-
ance with which this government has
lent the services of an officer of the army
to be employed by the government OF
Panama as instructor of police.
This government was Obliged to inter-
vene automatically to bring about arbi-
tration or settlement of the claim OF the
Emery Company against Nicaragua,
| which II had long before been agreed
should be arbitrated A settlement of
| this troublesome case was reached by
| the signature Of protocol on September
| IS. 1909
Many years ago diplomatic intervention
became necessary TO the protection of the
| interests In the American claim OF Alsop
&c Co. against the government OF Chile.
| The government OF Chile had frequently
admitted obligation in the case and had
| promised this government to settle 1t.
! There had been two abortive attempts to
| do so through arbitral commissions.
which failed through lack of Jurisdiction.
Now, happily, as the result of the recent
diplomatic negotiations, the governments
| OF the United States and of Chile actu-
ated by the sincere desire to free from
any strain those cordial and friendly re-
| lations upon which both set such store,
have agreed by protocol to submit the
controversy to definitive settlement BY
his Britannia majesty, Edward VII.
Since the Washington conventions of
1907 were communicated to the govern
ment of the United States as a 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 Zelaya government of
Nicaragua, which has kept Central
Amerca in constant tension and turmoil
The responses made to the representa-
tons OF Central American republics, as
due from the United States on account
of its relation to the Washington conven-
tions. have been at all times conservative
and have avoided. so far as possible. any
semblance of interference, although 1t is
|
| geographic proximity to the Canal Zone
and of the very substantial American in
terests in Central America give to the
United States a special position in the
zone OF these republics and the Carib-
bean sea.
need not rehearse here the patient eff
forts of this government to promote
peace and welfare among these republics,
efforts which are fully appreciated by
the majority of them. who are loyal to
their true interests II would be no less
unnecessary to rehearSe here the sad
tale OF unspeakable barbarities and op-
preston alleged to have been committed
by the Zelaya government. Recently two
Americans were put to death by order of
President Zelaya himself. They were Of
ficers In the organized forces of a revo-
luton which had continued many weeks
and 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 print
ed this government has terminated dip
lomatic relations with the Zelaya govern
ment. for reasons made public in a COM
municaton to the former Nicaragua
charge d'affaires, and is intending to take
such future steps may be found most
consistent with its dignity, its duty to
American interests and it's moral obliga-
tions to Central America and to civiliza-
ton.
The Far East.
In the far east this government pre-
, serves unchanged its policy OF support
ing the principle of equality of opportu-
nifty and scrupulous respect for the integ-
rity of the Chinese empire. to which pol
icy are pledged the interested powers OF
, both east and west
, Mention is made of the sending oil
! students to America by the Chinese
government, of China's progress
toward the eradication of the opium
t evil, and of this governments con
tinued cordial relations with the Jap
, anese empire.
The Department Of State.
, Favorable action by congress on the
estimates submitted by the depart
ment of state is urged, especially legis
$ lation for the development and reor
ganization of the department to make
, it efficient in furthering our foreign
/ trade. Improvement in the consular
service is noted. Mr.. Taft then says
:, Under a provision of the act of Au
gust 8, 1909, l have appointed thre,
officials to assist the officers of tn,
= government in collecting informal oI
= necessary to wise administration o
q the tariff act of August 8. 1909. AS L
questions of customs administra Il ioI
4 they are cooperating with the officials
: of the treasury department and as Il
matters of the needs and the exigen
T cies of our manufacturers and export
u ers. with the department of commerc
;, and labor. in it's relation to the domes
u tic aspect of the subject of foreign
> commerce. In the study of foreign
, tariff treatment they Will assist tn
Z bureau of trade relations of the de
u partment of state. 1t is hoped thus t.
y coordinate and bring to bear upon thi
u most important subject all the agencie
of the government which can contrib
d ute anything to its efficient handling
II AS consequence of Section o
Z the tariff act of August 5. 1909 II be
s comes the duty of the secretary o
c state to conduct as diplomatic buslnes
e all the negotiations necessary to plac
u m In n iIAta 10. Id, In ~