davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1909-12-07
The Far East

In the far East this Government pre-
serves unchanged Its policy of support
ing the principle OF equality Of oppor-
tunlty and scrupulous respect for the
integrity OF the Chinese empire, to
which policy are pledged the interested
powers Of both East and West.
BY the treaty OF 1903 China has I'M
dertaken the abolition Of likin with a
moderate and proportionate raising Of
the customs tariff along with currency
reform. These reforms being of mani
fest advantage to foreign commerce as
well az to the interests of China, this
Government IS endeavorlng TO faciIl-
tate these measures and the needfuI
acquiescence Of the treaty powers.
When Il appeared that Chinese Iikin
revenues were to be hypothecated to
foreign bankers in connection with a
great railway project, IL was obvious
that the governments whose nationals
held this loan would have certain di-
rect interest IN the question OF the car
rying out by China Of the reforms in
question.
Because this railroad loan represented
a practical and real application of the
open door policy through cooperation
with China by interested powers as we'll
as because of its relations to the re
forms referred to above, the Admi ultra
ton deemed American partiCipat. to
be of great national interest Hap pily.
when IL was as a matter of broad pol
Icy urgent that this opportunity 81 ould
not be lost. the Indispensable in stru-
mentality presented itself when a group
Of American bankers, Of International
reputation and grea- resources, agreed
at once to share in The loan upon pre-
The Washington times., 1909-12-07

self. They were officers in the organ
lied forces Of revolution in control OF
about half OF the republic. and as such,
according to the modern enlightenel
practice OF civilized nations, they were
entitled TO be dealt with as prisoners
Of war.
At the date when this message Il
printed this Government has terminated
diplomatic relations with the Zelava
government. for reasons made DubIfc
IN a communication to the former Mica
raguan charge de'anaires, and is in
tending TO take such future stems as
may be found most consistent with ite
dlgnl,yr IT'S dUty TO American interests
ana Its moral obligations 10 Centrsi
America and TO civilization. II MAJ
later be necessary for me to brine this
subject TO the attention of CONGRESS in
a special message
The International Bureau of American
Republics has carried on an fmport. n +
and increasing work during the Iasf
year In the exercise Of its UeclIiia r
functions as an international agency
maintained by all the American repub-
lies for the development OF Pan-Aner-
lean commerce and friendships. IL mas
accomplished a great practical good
which could be done in the same way
by no individual department or bureau,
Of one government, and is therefore, de-
serving Of your liberal support.
The fact that it is about to enter a ney,
building, erected through the muni-
ficence of an American philanthropist
and the contributions Of all the Amerf-
can nations, where both it's efficiency
of administration and expense of main
tenance will naturally be much aug
mentcd, further entities 1t to special
consideration
The Washington times., 1909-12-07
War Agreements.

Pursuant to an invitation or Great
Britain conference was held az Lon
don from December 2. 1915, Co February
-. 1903, in which the following powers
participated. the United States. Austria
Hungary, France, Germany. Great Brit
ain. Italy. Japan, the Netherlands. Rus
sia, and Spain. The conference result
ed in the declaration Of London, unaui-
mOusly agreed 10 and signed by the
participating powers, concerning, among
other matters. the highly important
subjects Of blockade contraband the
destruction Of neutral prizes. and con-
finmOus voyages.
The declaration Of LONDON U.s. an emil
nently satisfactory COdihcatiOn Of the
international maritime law, and 10 is
hoped that It's Resemblance and fair
ness will secure its general adoption. as
we'll as remove one OF the difficulties
standing !n the way Of the establish
ment Of an international prize court.
Under the authority given in the sun
dry civil appropriation act, approved
March g. 1909. the United States was
represented az the Interuati0nal Con
ference on Maritime Law az BRUSSELS
The conference met on The 18th of Sep
temest. last, and resulted iu the sig
nature I'D referendum of cOuE cutiou
for the uniication of certain reEula-
tiOns with regard 10 maritime assist
ance and salvage and e convention for
the unihcation Of certain rules with
regard 10 collisions 1T sea-
Two new projects " conventions
The Washington times., 1909-12-07

way were Belgium, Denmark, France
Germany, Great Britain. Russia, Swe-
den. and the Netherlands.
The Department of State, i'm view Of
proofs filed with 1t in 1906, showing the
American possession, occupations and
working Of certain coal-beariDg lands in
Spitzbergen. accepted an invitation un-
der the reservation above stated. and
under the further reservation that all
interests in those islands already vested
should be protected, and that there
should be equality Of opportunity for the
future.
1t was further pointed out that mem
bership in the conference on the part
Of the United States was qualified by
the consideration that this Government
would not become a signatory 10 any
conventional arrangement concluded by
the European members Of the confer
ence which would imply contributory
participation by the United States in
any obligation or responsibility for the
enforcement OF any scheme OF admin
istration which might be devised by the
conference for the islands
The Washington times., 1909-12-07
On This Government.

The resultant situation Inevitably i'm
poses upon this Government vastly in
Crea sed responsibilities.
This Administration, through the De-
partment OF state and the foreign ser
vice. is lending all proper support to le-
climate and beneficial American enter
urises In foreign countries, the de
gree of such support being measured by
the natural advantages 20 be expected.
citizen himself cannot by contract or
otherwise divest himself of the right,
nor can this Government escape the OBJ
legation, Of his protection in his per
sonal property rights when these are
uniustly infringed in foreign coun-
trE.
To avoid ceaseless veXatiOus n is prop
en- that In considering whether Ameri-
can enterprise should be encouraged or
supported I'm a particular country. the
Government should give full weight not
only TO the national as opposed TO the
individual benefits to accrue. but also to
the fact whether or not the Government
Of the country IN question Is In its adj
The Washington times., 1909-12-07

ditions and TO vc'y natural curtail-
ment Of imports in view of the antici-
pated revision Of the Dominican tariff
schedule
The payments TO the fiscal agency
fund for the service of the bonded debt
of the republic, as provided by the con-
ventiOn, have been regularly and
promptly made, and satisfactory prog
ress has been made IN carrying out the
provisions Of the convention looking
toward the completion OF the adjustment
Of the debt and the requirement by the
Dominican government of certain con-
CesslOns and mOnOpOlies which have
been a burden to the commerce OF the
country. In short, the receivership has
demonstrated its ability, even under un-
The Washington times., 1909-12-07

The chief Of those terms was that
American railway material should be
upon an exact equality with that of the
other nationals joining IN the loan in
the placing Of orders for this whole
railroad system. After months of ne
COLLATION. the equal participation OF
Americans seems at last assured.
It is gratifying that Americans will
thus take their share in this extension
Of these great highways OF trade. and
TO believe that such activities win give
a real impetus TO our commerce and will
prove a practical corollary to our his
tortc policy IN thefar East.
The imperial Chinese government in
pursuance OF its decision to devote funds
from the portion Of the indemnity re-
mitted by the United States to the send
Ing Of students to this country has al
ready completed arrangements for car
rying out this purpose, and a consid-
cradle body OF students have arrived 10
take up their work In our schools and
universities. No one can doubt the hap
py effect that the associations formed
by these representative young men will
have when they return to take up their
work in the progressive development OF
their country
The Washington times., 1909-12-07
Panama Canal.

The policy Of paying for the cOustruc-
I on of the Panama canal not out OF
G Irrent revenue. BUT by Bond issues.
was adopted in the SpoOnsr act of 1902.
and there seems u be no GOD reason
for departing from the principle by
which n part at least Of the burden OF
the cost Of the canal shall fan upon our
pOsterity who are 20 enjoy IL; and there
is all the more reason for this view be
cause the actual cost 90 date of the
canal. which is now half done and
which will be completed January !. 1913.
shows that the cost Of engineering and
construction VIII be S29L $4,000. instead
OF SlSg. -O5. 200. as originally estimated.
In addition TO engineering and con
structiou the other expenses. including
sanitation and government and the
amount paid for the properties, The
franchise. and the privilege CT building
the canal. increase the cost by So. AS, 900
to a total OF SS75, 2ol,00G.
The increase in the cast of engineering
and construction is cue to a substantial
enlargement Of the plan of construction
bv widening the CaRal 100 feet in the
Culebra cut and by increasing the d.
mansions Of the locks. 10 the undereS-
innate of the quantity OF the work 10
be done under the original plan. and TO
an underestimate Of the cost Of lah or
and materials both OF which nave great
w enhanced in price since DE original
estimate was made
Inn order TO avoid a deficit for the en-
suing fiscal year. ! directed the heads or
deDartments i'm the preparation of theil.
sibIe consistent with the imperative gov
eminent necessity. The result has been
as I am advised by the Secretary OF the
Treasury, that the estimates for the
The Washington times., 1909-12-07
Bonds Strengthened.

Beside the fundamental doctrines of
our Pan-Amerfcan policy there have
grown up a realization Of political in
terestss community OF institutions and
ideals, and a dourishing commerce. All
these bonds will be greatly strengthened
as time goes on and increased facilities.
such as the great bank soon 20 be es-
tablished in Latin America, supply the
means for building up the colossal in
tercOntinentaI commerce Of the future.
My meeting with President Dlaz and
the greeting exchanged on both Ameri-
can and Mexican soil served, hope,
to signalize the close and cordial rela-
lions which so well bind together this
republic and the great republic i'm
mediately to the south, between which
there is so vast a network Of material
interests.
1 am happy to say that all but one
Of the cases which for so long vexed
our relations with Venezuela have been
settled within the past few months and
that, under the enlightened regime now
directing the government Of Venezuela
provision has been made for arbitration
OF the remaining case before The Hague
tribunal.
on July 30. 1909. the government Of
Panama agreed, after considerable ne
COLLATION., to indemnify the relatives OF
the American officers and sailors who
were brUtaliy treated. one OF them hav-
ing, indeed, been killed by the Panama
police this year.
The sincere desire of the government
OF Panama 70 do away with a situa-
ton where such an accident could Oc-
cur Is manifest in the recent request
In compliance with which this Govern
ment has lent the services Of an officer
OF the army 70 be employed by the
government Of Panama as Instructor OF
TeOllce
The Washington times., 1909-12-07
Fisheries Treaties.

The International Fisheries Commits
sion appointed pursuant TO and under
the authority OF the convention Of April
II, 1905, between the United States and
Great Britain, has completed a system
of uniform and common international
regulations for the protection and pre-
servation OF the food fishes in interna-
tional boundary waters Of the United
States and Canada
The regulations viii be duly submitted
70 Congress with a view TO the enact
inent Of such legislation as will be
necessary under the convention TO put
them into operation.
The convention providing for the set
Element Of international differences be
tween the United States and Canada,
Including the appOrtiOrment between
the two countries Of certain Of the
boundary waters and the appointment
OF commissioners TO adjust certain
other questions, signed on the 18th day
Of January, 1893. and 70 the ratification
OF which the Senate gave its advice
and consent on March 3, 1903. has not
yet been ratified on the part Of Great
Britain.
Commissioners have been appointed
on the part Of the United States 20 act
Jointly with commissioners on the part
or Canada iu examining into the Ques-
ton Of distractions in the St John
river between Maine and New Bruins
wick. and to make recommendations
for the regulation Of the uses thereof,
and are now engaged in this work
The Washington times., 1909-12-07
ECONOMY URGED
IN EVERY WAY

The most important question
presented to this Administration IL
thnt of economy.
The Executive has greater re-
spOnsibiIItIes ia this U,atter than
he has had heretofore.
The total deficit for this fiscal
ycnT, including Panama canal hc-
count, will he s73,O75.62O.
This deficit viii be met by Is
suing bonds TO pay cost of canal
construction.
In present estimates, needs of de-
pnrtmeBts an0 Government have
been cut TO the quick.
The Treasury has started investi-
cation, looking 10 cutting cost of
permanent administration.
4 proper system of economy Is
impossible unless there il adopted
"a plan of civil pensions.
The Washington times., 1909-12-07

statute the principles OF the present
Executive order upon which the o.
hciency Of our consular service IL who'll,
dependent.
IN modern times political and com
llefclai interests are interreIated. and T.,
the negotiation Of commercial treaties
conventions and tariff agreements. the
keeping open Of opportunities and the
proper support OF American enternrises
our diplomatic service IS quite as i'm
IlPrtant as the consular service To the
business interests OF the country. I'm
pressed with this idea and convinced that
seiectlon after rigorous examination
promoti5n for merit solely and TIC g.
perienca only to be gained thrones -.
S s.,,Iuity OF an organized service are
Indispensable to high degree OF ef-
Hciency in the diplomatic service. have
signed an executive order as the frsf
step toward this very desirable result
us eject should be to place All secra-
'<llles IN the diplomatic service In 7,uob
me same position as consular Officers aro
LiOW paced and TO tend to the r,ro-,7r,tI(,-
~ me most efficient &c the arade 81
s-1-,l5S.l, generally leaving for outside
ePoliitLuehL such posts of the grade
Oi ambassador or minister as IN r,s-. -
vice. "-'-oul the ser
II Is proposed also to contfnua +bs
IdcIIce instituted last sumner Of 80
lIs 20 all newly appointed secretaTies
az tSdSI one months thorough training
~ Iie department Of State before tho
proceed 70 their posts. This has beeg
IOne LOT some time in regard to the con
SuIdI service with excellent results
The Washington times., 1909-12-07
Work in Cuba.

The sanitary improvements and pub
lie works undertaken I'm Cuba prior to
the present administration OF that gov
eminent. I'm the success of which the
United States is interested under the
treaty, are reported to be making good
progress. and since the Congress pro-
vided for the continuance Of the reel
prOCal commercial arrangement between
Cuba and the United States assurance
has been received that no negotiations
injuriously affecting the situation viii
be undertaken without consultation.
The collection Of the customs of the
Dominican Republic through the general
receiver Of customs appointed by the
President Of the United States in &C
cOrcance with the convention Of Feb
ruary s, 1907, has proceeded in an un-
evcntful and satisfactory manner. The
customs receipts have decreased owing
TO disturbed political and economic con-
The Washington times., 1909-12-07

with Liberia there is a provision under
which the United states may be called
uu1u for advice or assistance. Pursuant
o. this provision and in the spirit Of The
moral relationship OF the United States
TO Liberia that republic last year ask
ca this Government TO lend assistance
Goa the solution Of certain of their ma
uouaI problems, and hence the commits
sion was sent
The report OF our commissioners has
lust been completed and is now under
domination by the Department Of
state. II is hoped that there may re-
suit some helpful measures. in which
case 90 may be my duty again to invite
your attention 20 this subject.
The NoTlNe giau government by a note
addressed on January % 1903. to the
Department Of state, conveyed on inyi-
tati0n 10 the Government of the United
States TO take part IN a conference
which IL is understood will be held iu
FEBRUARY or March 1910. for the pur-
nose Of dcvising means to remedy eX-
isting conditions I'm the Spitzbergeu
T-InrIe
The Washington times., 1909-12-07
The Near East

His majesty Mehmed V. Sultan, Of
Turkey, recently sent to this country a
special embassy to announce his acces-
sion. The quick transition of the gov
eminent Of the Ottoman empire from
one Of retrograde tendencies to a con-
stitutonaI government with a parlla-
ment and with progressive modern pol
icies of reform and public Improvement
is one OF the important phenomena Of
our times. Constitutional government
seems also TO have made further ad-
vance 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, uniVer-
stiles, 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.
The Washington times., 1909-12-07
Tariff Board.

Chder provision OF the act OF Au-
gust D. 1909, have appointed three Of
lclais TO assiGt the officers Of the Gov
eminent in collecting Information neces-
sary TO a wise administration OF the tar
III act OF August 5, 1909. As to questions
OF customs administrations they are co
operating with the officials OF the Treas
ury Department and as to natfars Of
the needs and the exigeneies Of our
manufacturers AMI exports. with the
department of Commerce and Labor. in
It's relation to the domestic asDect ~
the subject Of foreign commerce. In
the study Of foreign tarir treatment
they VIII assist the Bureau Of Trade
RELATIONS Of the Department OF state.
IL IS hoped thus to coordinate and
DIlng 20 Le2S upon this most important
subject al the agencies Of the Govern
tileht Wnicn can contribute ANYTHING 10
Its efficient handling.
As consequence Of section . ~ the
tariff act OF August 3 1919 II 6eco--,ss
me outy OF the Secretary of State To-
coil1ucI as diplomatic business All the
negotiations necessary to place him in
position 10 advise me as 10 whether
or not particular country unduIv dis
eliminates against the United States IN
Inc sense OF the statute referred 10
Inc great scope and complexity of this
work, as well as the obligation to lend
an proper aid to our expanding com
merce, is met by the expansion Of the
Bureau OF Trade Relations aT SET foT-tb
IN the estimates for the Department Of
State -
The Washington times., 1909-12-07
Europe.

Pursuant 10 the provisions OF the gen
eral treaty OF arbitration concluded be-
tween the United States and Great Brit
ain, April 4, 1908, a special agreement
was entered into between the two coun-
tries on January q, 1909. for the sub
mission of questions relating to the fish
cries on the North Atlantic Coast so a
tribunal to be formed from members Of
the permanent court Of arbitration at
The Hague.
In accordance with the provisions of
the special agreement the printed case
of each government was. on October
last. submitted TO the other and 10 the
arbitral tribunal at The Hague, and the
counter case Of the United States is
now in course OF preparation.
The American rights under the fisher
ses article Of the treaty OF ISIS have been
q cause Of difference between the United
States and Great Britain for nearly
seventy years. The interests involved
are of great Importance to the American
fishing industry. and the final settI ament
or the controversy will remove a source
Of constant irritation and complaint
This is the first case involving such
great international questions which has
beeu submitted to the permanent court
or arbitration at The Hague.
The treaty between the United States
and Great Britain concerning the Can
Rdian international boundary. concluded
April IL. 1908, authorizes the appoint
sment Of two commissioners TO define
and mark accurately the international
boundary line between the United States
and the Dominion Of Canada in the
waters Of the Passamaquoddy bay, and
provides for the exchange Of briefs
within the period Of six months The
briefs were duly presented within the
prescribed period, bat as the commits
sioners failed to agree within six
months after the exchange OF the print
ed statements, as required by the
treaty. it has now become necessary TO
resort TO the arbitration provided for
IN the article
The Washington times., 1909-12-07
Latin America.

One OF the happiest events in recent
Pan-American diplomacy was the Pa
cifc, Independent settlement by the gov
ernments Of Bolivia and Peru Of a boun-
dairy difference between them, which for
some weeks threatened to cause war
and even to entrain embltterments af-
feCting other republics less directly
concerned. From various quarters. d.
rectly or indirectly concerned. the in
termediauOn Of the United States was
sought TO assist in 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 settle their differ
ence in a manner satisfactory to them
selves which. viewed with magnanimity,
would assuage all embitterment, this
Government steadily abstained from be
The Washington times., 1909-12-07
Seal Protection.

Negotiations for an International con-
ference to consider and reach an ar
rangement providing for the preserva-
tion and protection Of the fur seals in
the North Pacific are in progress with
the Governments Of Great Britain,
Japan. and Russia. The attitude Of
Ehe governments interested leads me 20
hope for a satisfactory settlement Of
this question as the ultimate outcome
OF the negotiations
The second pence conference recently
held at The Hague adopted a convention
for the establishment Of AN information
al prize court upon tho joint proposal OF
delegates OF the United States. France.
Germany. and Great Britain. The law
20 be observed by the tribunal iu the de-
cislon Of prize caScs was. however. left
in an uncertain and therefore uuEatis-
factory state.
Article Of the convention provided
that the court was 20 be governed by
The provisions Of treaties existing be-
tween the belligerents, bat that ''in the
absence or such provision, the court
shall apply the rules OF international
law. II no generally recognized rule
exists. the court shall give Judgment
81 accordance with the general princi-
pies Of justice and equity AS, how
ever, many questions in International
maritime law are understood differently
various countries. ~ was deemed adj
visible not 20 intrust legislative powers
10 the proposed court, but 10 determine
the rules Of law properly applicable i'm
q conference Of the represcutat tive mari
Nuie nations.