The Montgomery tribune., 1909-12-10
Currency Reform, Waterways, Creation Of Body
to Deal With Interstate Commerce
and Other Topics Handled
Government Expenditures and Revenues Most Important Question
Relations with Other Nations Nicaragua Excepted,
Are Declared To Be Generally Satisfactory.

the cases which Tor 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. one 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 a 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 1t had long before been agreed
should be arbitrated. a settlement of
this troublesome case was reached by
the signature of a protocol on September
is. 1909
Many years ago diplomatic Intervention
became necessary to the protection of the
interests in the American claim of Alsop
& 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
| those ra-
| lations upon which both set such store,
have agreed by q 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 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-
| tions 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 it is
| very apparent that the considerations of
geographic proximity to the Canal Zone
| and of the very substantial American in
terests in Central America give to the
United States special position In the
zone of these republics and the Carib-
| bean sea-.
l need not rehearse here the patient ef-
forts Of this government to promote
peace and welfare among these republics.
efforts which are fully appreciated by
fla v,ra tor <<f f1at,,
their true interests. 1t would be no less
unnecessary to rehearse here the sad
tale OF unspeakable barbarites and OPP
preston alleged to have been committed
by the iZelaya government. Recently two
Americans were put to death by order Of
| President Zelaya himself. They were Of
ficers in the organized forces of revo-
luton which had continued many weeks
a-d 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. taf
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 CON-
munication to the former Nicaragua
charge d'affaires, and is intending to take
such future steps as may be found most
consistent with its dignity. Its duty tc
American interests and its 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 oi
both east and west.
Mention is made of the sending o.
students to America by the Chinese
government, of Chinas progress.
toward the eradication of the opium
evil, and of this governments con
tinued cordial relations with the Jap
anese empire.
The Department Of State.
Favorable action by congress on tn,
estimates submitted by the depart
ment of state is urged. especially legis
lation for the development and reor
ganization of the department to make
1t efficient in furthering our foreign
trade. Improvement In the consular
service is noted. Mr.. Taft then says
Under a provi ZION of the act of Au
| gust 8, 1903. have appointed thre,
officials to assist the officers of tn,
| government in collecting information
necessary to wise administration O
the tariff act of August s. 1909. AS t,
questions OF customs administrator
they are cooperating with the offcial
of the treasury department and as I,
matters of the needs and the exigen
cies of our manufacturers and export
ers, with the department of commerc
and labor. in its relation to the domes
tic aspect OF the subject OF foreign
commerce. In the study of foreigi
tariff treatment they will assist tn
bureau of trade relations of the de
partment of state 1t is hoped thus t
co-ordinate and bring to bear upon thi
most important subject ALI the agencie
OF the government which can contrib
ute anything to Its efficient handling
As consequences of Section 2 o
the tariff act of August 8. 1909. 1t be
comes the duty of the secretary o
state to conduct as diplomatic bushes
J all the negotiations necessary to plac
him In position to advise noe as t
whether or not a particular countr,
J unduiy discriminates against tn