Arizona republican., 1909-12-08
THE PRESIDENTS PLEDGE
 .Ai Continued From Page 1.y ",

' agreed to and signed by the particle pating powers. concerning among other matters. the highly important subjects of blockade. contraband. the destruc- ton of neutral prizes and continuous voyages.
 The declaration of London is an em- ] inently satisfactory qualification of the | international maritime law and it is i hoped that it's reasonableness and fair ness will secure it's general adoption, as well as remove one of the difficult ties standing in the way of the estab- | lishment of an international prize | court.
 Under the information given in the sundry appropriation act, approved March 4, 1909, the United States was represented at the international con- ! ference on maritime law at Brussels. The conference met on the 18th of Sep- tember last and resulted in the sigma ture ad referendum of a convention for the unification of certain regulations with regard to maritime assistance and salvage and a convention for the unification of certain rules with re- gard to collisions at sea.
 The new projects of conventions which have not heretofore been con- sidered in a diplomatic conference. namely. one concerning the limitation of the responsibility of shipowners and the other concerning marine mort gages and privileges. have been sub mitted by the conference to the differ ent governments.
 The conference adjourned to meet again on April II. 1910
 Uniform Laws for Nations.
 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 September. 1909. has been postponed to meet at the capital in June. 1910. The United States will be appropriately represented in this con- ference under the provision therefor already made by congress.
 The cordial invitation of Belgium to be represented by a fitting display of American progress in the useful arts and inventions at the worlds fair to be held at Brussels in 1910 remains to be acted upon by the congress. Mind Iui Ol tllt duN lO dCCl tO Ouf 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.
 The Congo Question.
 The 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 to that vast domain, and is party to treaty engagements of all the interested powers designed to carry out that great duty of human ity. The way to better the original and adventitious conditions, so bur densome to the natives and so de- sructive to their development, has been pointed out. by observation and experience, not alone of American representatives but by cum ulative evidence from all quarters and by the investigations of Belgian agents. The announced programs 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 benevolent encouragement. coupled with a hope full trust that the good work respon- sibly undertaken and zealously per formed 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
 convention between the United States and Germany, under which the nOn- working provisions of the Ger man patent law are made inapplica- ble to the patents of American cit- izens, was concluded on February 23, 1909. and is now in force. Negotia- tions for similar conventions looking to the placing of American inventors on the same footing as other nat ionals have recently been initiated with European governments whose ldNS require tue lOCdl WOThlOS OI foreign patents.
 The Ciberian Republic
 Under the appropriation made at the last session of the congress. a commission was sent on American cruisers to Monrovia to investigate the interests of the United States and it's citizens in Liberia. Upon it's ar rival at Monrovia. the commission was enthusiastically received and during its stay in Liberia was every where met with the heartiest express sions for the good will of the Ameri- can people and the hope was re- peatodly expressed on all sides that this government might see its way clear to do something to relieve the critical position of the republic. aris ing in measure from external, as well as internal and financial embar rassments.
 The Liberian government afforded every facility to the commission for ascertaining the true state of affairs. The commission also had conferences with representative citizens, interested foreigners and the representatives of foreign governments in Monrovia. Wis it's were made to various parts of the republic and to the neighboring Brit