Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-12-08

and privileges, have been submitted | by the conference to the different gov ernments.
 The conference adjourned to meet again on April II, 1910.
 For Uniform Legislation | The international conference for the purpose of promoting uniform legisla- tion concerning letters of exchange, which was called by the government of the Netherlands to meet at The Hague in Septem Der, 1909, has been postponed to meet at the capital in June, 1910. The United States will be appropriately represented in this conference 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 world s fair to be held at Brussels in 1910 remains to be acted upon by the congress. Mind full of the advantages to accrue to our artisans and producers in competition with their continental rivals, I renew the recommendation heretofore made that provisions be made for acceptance of the invitation and adequate repre-. sentation in the exposition.
 Congo Free State
 Tho question arising out of the Bel gian annexation of the independent state of the Congo, which has so long and earnestly pre-occupied the atten- tiOn 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 urg- ing the extension of the benefits of civilization, education and fruitful, open commerce ts that vast domain, and is a party to treaty engagements of all the interested powers designed to carry out that great duty of humanity. The way to better the original and adventitious conditions, so burdensome to the natives and so destructive to their development, has been pointed out. by observation and experience, not alone of American representatives but by cumulative evidence from all quarters and by the investigation of Belgian agents. The announced pro- grams 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 benevo- lent encouragement, coupled with hopeful trust that the good work re- sponsibility undertaken and zealously performed to the accomplishment of the results so ardently desired, will soon l justify the wisdom that inspires them and satisfy the demands of human sen timent throughout the world.
 A convention between the United States and Germany, under which the non working provisions of the German patent law are made inapplicable to the patents of American citizens, was con. cluded on February 23, 1909, and is now in force. Negotiations for similar conventions looking to the placing of American inventors on the same foot ing as other nationals have recently been initiated with other European governments whose laws require the local working of foreign patents.
 Commission to Liberia
 Under the appropriation made at the last session of congress, commission was sent on American cruisers to Mon z rovia to investigate the interests of i the United States and its citizens in Liberia. Upon its arrival at Monrovia the commission was enthusiastically re. eeived and during its stay in Liberia was everywhere met with the heartiest expressions for the good will of the American people and the hope was re- Ipeatedly expressed on all sides that this government might see its way clear to do something to relieve the critical position of the republic, arising in a
 measure from external, as well as in ternal and financial endorsements.
 The Liberian government afforded
 every facility to the commission foI
 aseertaining the true state of affairs The commission also had conferences
 with representative citizens, interested
 foreigners, and the representatives of
 foreign governments in Mpnrovia
 Visits were made to various parts of
 the republic and to the neigbboring
 British colony of Sierra Leone, where
 the commission was received and con ferred with the governor.
 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 tht
 republic by the colonization of Amer
 ican citizens of the African race. II an early treaty with Liberia there il
 a provision under which the United z States may be called upon for advic, , or assistance. Pursuant to this provi
 sion and in the spirit of the moral re lationship of the United States to Iii beria that republic last year asked thi
 government to lend assistance in tn I solution of certain of their nationa . problems and hence the commission wa , sent.
 The report of our commissioners ha e just been completed and is now unde
 examination by the department o . state. It is said that there may re f suit some helpful measures, in whic f case it may be my duty again to invit Y your attention to this subject. 2 Spitzbergen Islands
 ,, The Norwegian government, by /, note addressed on January 26, l90! r. to the department of state. conveye r. an invitation to the government of tn n United States to take part in confel d ence which it is understood will |