The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1909-12-07
> 0 Q O Q 0 q o o > o Q o 80 . {

eDsin. The conferences resumed In tns
f1sclaratfon OF Lendon unanimously
ssreed to and signed by the participating
powers. concerning among other matters.
the highly Important subjects OF block
ads. contraband the destruction OF neu-
trail prizes and continuous voyages.
The Declaration OF London Is an emf
nently satisfactory codifcation of the in
ternational maritime law. and II is hoped
that Its reasonRbleness and fairness will
secure its general adoption, as we'll as re-
move one Of the diculties standing in the
way Of the establishment OF an interna-
tlonal prize court.
Under the authority given in the sundry
civil appropriation act approved March
4, 1908 the United States was represented
al the International Conference on Mari
time Law at Brussels. The conference
met on the 2sth Of September last and re-
suited in the signature ad referendum OF
a convention for the unihcati0n OF certain
regulations with regard to maritime as
Sistancs and salvage and a convention for
the unifcation OF certain rules with re-
gard to collisions at sea.
Two new projects Of conventions which
have not heretofore been considered In
diplomatic conference, namely, ons con-
cerning the limitation OF the responsible
ity Of shipowners, and the other concern
ing marine mortgages and privileges.
have been submitted by the conference
10 the different governments.
The conference adjourned 10 meet again
on April L. 1910
The internatonl conference for the pur-
pose OF promoting uniform legislation
concerning letters Of exchange, which
was called by the government OF the
Netherlands 10 meet at The Hague in
September 1909, has been postponed TO
meet at that capital in June, 1910. The
Tilted States win be appropriately rep
resented in this conference under the
provision therefor already made by CON
gress.
The cordial invitation Of Belgium 20 be
represented by fitting display Of Ameri-
can progress In the useful arts and In
ventions al the Worlds fair TO be held
at Brussels IN 1910 remains TO be acted
upon by the congress. Mindful of the ad-
vantages TO accrue TO cur artisans and
producers IN competition with their con-
tinental rivals. renew the recommended
ton heretofore made that provision be
made for acceptance OF the invitation and
adequate representation In the exposition.
AlE QQtHAApiA aAi1iAtE WAR Va tht &'tArAett
annexation OF the Independent State OF
the Congo, which has so long and earn
estly preoccupied the attention 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 foremost IN the great work
of uplifting the rncivilized regions OF Az
rica ana urging the extension of the
benefits Of civilization, education and
fruitful open commerce 10 that vast do
main and IL a party 70 treaty engage
ments Jf all the Interested powers de-
signed 10 carry out that great duty 10
humanity. The way 10 better the original
and adventltious conditions. so burden
some to the natives and 50 destructive to
their development, has been pointed out,
by observation, and experience. not alone
OF American representatives, but by cu-
mulative evidence from all quarters and
by the Investigations OF Belgian agents
The announced programs of reforms, stri-
king at many OF the evils known to ex-
st. are an augury Of better things. The
attitude OF the United States is one OF
benevolent encouragement coupled with A
hopeful trust that the good work, respon-
siby undertaken and zealously perfect
ed TO the accomplishment Of the results
so ardently desired. will soon justify the
wisdom that inspires them and satisfy
the demands OF humane sentiment
throughout the world.
A convention between the United States
and Germany under which the non-work
ing provisions OF the GerT1sn patent law
are made inappllcable TO the patents OF
American citizens. was concluded on Feb
ruary zs. 1909, and is aow in force. Nego-
tiatlons for similar conventions looking
to the placing OF American inventors on
the same footing as nationals have re-
Gently been initiated with other European
governments whose laws require the 10.
cal working OF foreign patents.
Under an appropriation made at the last
session Of the congress commission was
sent on American cruisers to Monrovia
TO investigate the interests Of the United
States and its citizens ia Liberia. Upon
its arrival at Monrovia the commission
was enthusiastically received. and during
It's stay in Liberia was everywhere met
with the heartlest expressions Of good will
for the American government and people
and the hope was repeatedly expressed
on all sides that this government might
see its way clear TO do something to re-
leye the critical position OF the republic
arising In a measure from external as
we'll as internal and financial embar-
easements.
The Liberlan government afforded ey-
cry facility to the commission for ascer-
tanning the true state OF affairs The
commission also had conferences with
representative citizens. interested foreign
ers and the representatives OF foreign
governments In Monrovia. Visits were
made TO various parts Of the republic
and to the neighboring British colony Of
Sierra Leone, where the commission was
received by and conferred with the gov
crnor.
Ii will be remembered that the interest
OF the United States in the republic of
Liberia springs from the hletarieal fact
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