Arizona republican., 1909-12-08
THE PRESIDENTS PLEDGE
 (Continued from page five)

The report of our commissioners has just been completed and is now under examination by the department of state. It is said there may re- suit some hopeful measures, in which case it may be my duty again tc invite your attention to this subject
 The SPitzenbera Islands
 The Norwegian government, by note addressed on January 26, 1909 to the department of state. conveyed an invitation to the government or the United States to take part in a conference which it is understood will be held in February or March, 1910. for the purpose of devising means and a remedy for existing conditions in the Spitzenbery 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 citizens and subjects of all states. should not be raised.
 The European powers invited to the conference by the government of Nor way, Belgium. Denmark, France, Ger many. Great Britain, Russia, Sweden and The Netherlands
 The department of state, in view of proofs filed with it. in 1906. show ing the American possession, occupa- ton and working of certain coal bearing lands in Spitzenberg. accept ed the invitation under the reservation above stated. and under the further reservation that all interests in those islands already vested should be pro tected and that there should be equality of opportunity for the future. IL was further pointed out that mem bership in the conference on the part of the United States was quail fled by the consideration that this government would not become a sig natory to an additional arrangement concluded by the European members of the conference which would imply contributory participation by the United States in any obligation or re- sponsibility for the enforcement of any scheme of administration which might be devised by conference for the islands,
 The Near East
 His Majesty Mohamed V. sultan of Turkey recently sent to this country a special embassy to announce his accession. The quick transition of the ottoman empire from one of retro grade tendencies to a constitutional government with a parliament and with progressive policies of reform and public improvement is one of the phenomena Of our times. Constitu tional government seems also to have h.v- sa.1N f., arGfa These events have turned the eyes of the world upon the Near East. In that quarter the prestige of the Unit ed States has spread widely through the peaceful influence of the American schools. universities and missionaries. There is every reason why we should obtain a greater share of the com merce of the Near East since the conditions are more favorable now than ever before.
 Latin America
 One of the happiest events in re- cent American diplomacy was the pacific independent settlement by the of Bolivia and Peru of a boundary difference between them which for some weeks threatened to cause war and even to entrain bitter lnents affecting other republics less directly concerned. From various quarters directly or indirectly con cerned. the intermediation of the United States was sought to assist in a solution of the controversy. Desiring at all times to abstain from any undue mingling in the affairs of sister republics, and having faith in the ability of the governments of Peru and Bolivia themselves to set | le their differences in a manner sat to themselves, which. viewed