The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1909-12-09

Washington, Dec. In bis annual
message. read to congress. President
Taft said:
10 the Senate aud the House OF Rep
resentatiyes:
The relations of the United States
with all foreign governments have con
timed upon the normal basis Of dmlty
and good understanding and are very
generally satisfactory.
Europe.
The American rights | in the fisheries
on the north Atlantic COAST under the
fisheries article of the treaty Of 1878
have been cause Of difference be
tween the United States and Great
Rrltaln for nearly seventy years. The
interests involved are OF great impor-
tauce to the American fishing industry.
and the final settlement Of the cOntro-
yersy by the permanent court OF ar
bitratiOn at The Haguel will remove
a source OF constant irritation and com
plaint. This is the first case involving
such great international questions
which has been submitted 10 the per
manent court OF arbitration at The
Hague.
Negotiations for an International
conference to consider and reach an
arrangement providing for the preser-
walton and protection Of the fur seals
IN the north Pacific are In progress
with the governments of Great Britain,
.Iapan and Russia The attitude OF
the governments interested leads me
to hope for n satisfactory settlement Of
this question as the ultimate outcome
Of the negotiations.
The Near East.
The quick transition or the govern
ment Of the Ottoman empire from one
of retrograde tendencies to a consu-
tutiona government with a parlia-
ment and with progressive modern
policies Of reform and public Improve
ment Is one of the important phenome-
ma Of our times Constitutional gov
erument seems also to have made
further advance 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
universities and missionaries. There
is every reason why we should obtain
greater share Of the commerce OF the
near east since the conditions are
more favorable now than ever before.
Latin America.
One Of the happicst events In recent
pan-American diplomacy was the pa
cific, independent settlement by the
governments Of Bolivia and Peru of a
boundary difference between them.
which for some weeks threatened TO
cause war and even to entrain im-
bitterments affecting other republics
less directly concerned.
Our Citizens Abroad.
This administration. through the de-
partment Of state and the foreign serv-
ice. is lerding all proper support to
legitimate and beneficial American on
terpriscs IN foreign countries. the de-
gree Of su, SUPPORT being measured
by the nat .ona advantages 10 be eX-
pected. \ citizen himself cannot by
contract cr otherwise divest himself
Of the right. nor cln this government
escape The obligation. OF his protcc-
ton In his personal and property
rights whcl these are unjusuy In
fringed in foreign country. To avoid
ceaseless vexations 1t Is proper that IN
considering whether American enter
prise shou,. bc encouraged or support
ed in n particular country the govern
ment should give full weight not only
to the national as opposed TO the indi-
yidual benefits TO accrue, but also to
| the fact whether or not the govern
ment Of Tia. country in question Is ID
ifs administration and In its diplomac!
faithful TO the principles Of moders
ton. equity and justice upon whic5
alone depends international credit in
diplomacy as well as In finance.
The Monroe Doctrine.
The pan American policy OF this
government has long been fixed IN Its
principles and remains unchanged.
with the changed circumstances OF tn
United States ant of the republics tl
the south Of US, most Of which hay
great natural resources, stable govern
meat and progressive ideals the al
POLICE JUSTICES COURT