Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-08
Legislation Matters Much Discussed and

bank soon to be estabnsheo in Latin amer
ics supply the means for building up the
colossal intercontinental commerce Of the
future
My meeting with President Diaz and the
greeting exchanged on both American and
Mexican soil served, I hope, to signalize
the close and cordial relations which so
well bind together this republic and the
great republic Immediately to the south,
between which there is so vast a network
Of material interests.
l 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 last few months and that. under the
enlightened regime now directing the gov
ernment of Venezuela, provision has been
made for arbitration Of the remaining case
before The Hague tribunal
Claims of American Citizens.
On July 50 1900 the government Of
Panama agreed. after considerable nego-
tiation, to indemnify the relatives of the
American officers and sailors who were
brutally treated, one Of them having, in
deed, been killed by the Panaman police
this year
This government was obliged to Intervene
automatically to bring about arbitration
OF settlement Of the claim Of the Emery
company against Nicaragua, which It had
long before been agreed should be arbl-
trated. A settlement of this troublesome
case was reached by the signature of
protocol on September IS, 1909.
Many years ago diplomatic Intervention
became necessary to the protection of the
interests in the American claim of Alsop
is Co. against the government of
Chile. The government Of Chile had fire.
quently admitted obligation in the case
and had promised this government to
settle it. There had been two abortive at
tempts TO do so through arbitral COM
mission, which failed through lack Of
jurisdiction. Now, happily as the result
Of the recent diplomatic negotiations, the
governments OF the United States and Of
Chile, actuated by the sincere desire to
free from any strain those cordial and
friendly relations upon which both set
such store, have agreed BY a protocol it0
submit the controversy to defInltive sot-
tlement by His Britannia Majesty Edward
VII. ss
Case of zelayn.
Since the Washington convention Of 1857
were communicated to the government OF
the United States as a consulting and
advising party, this government has been
almost continuously called upon by one or
another, and in turn by all Of the five
Central American republics, to exert itself
for the maintenance Of the conventions.
Nearly every complaint has been against
the zelaya government Of Nicaragua
which has kept Central America in con-
slant tension or turmoil. The responses made
to the representations of Central American
republics, as due from the United States
on account OF its relation to the Washing
ton conventions, have been at all times
conservative and have avoided, so far as
possible any semblance Of interference,
although It is very apparent that the con-
| slderations Of geographic proximity OF the
Canal Zone and OF the very substantial
American interests in Central America
give to the United States special position
in the zone of these republics and the
Caribbean sea-
need not rehearse here the patient ef-
forts OF this government to promote peace
and welfare among these republics, efforts
which are fully appreciated by the ma
jority OF them who are loyal to their true
interests. 1t would be no less unneces-
sary to rehearse here the sad ta,e Of un-
speakable barbarities and oppression all
legged to have been committed by the
zelaya government. Recently two Ameri-
cans were put to death by order OF Presi-
dent zelaya himself They we're reported
to have been regularly commissioned Of
ficers in the organized forces of a revolu-
ton which had continued many weeks and
was proceeding in an orderly fashion in
control OF about half OF the republic and
as SUCH according to the modern en,Ight-
ened practice of civilized nations, they
would be entitled to be dealt with as
prisoners Of war.
At the date when this message Is printed
this government Is proceeding with de-
! lfbSrRte eircumspection to determine the
exact truth in relation to these reports
and upon the course in the premises most
consistent with it's dignity. its duty to
American interests and its moral obliEa-
tons to Central America and to eiviliEa-
ton.
wsrk Of = Bureau.
The international bureau OF American
republics has carried on an important and
increasing work during the last year.
In the exercise Of it's peculiar functions as
an internationa, agency maintained by all
the American republics for the develop
ment Of Pan-American commerce and
! friendship 1t has accomplished a great
practical good which could be done in the
same way by no individual department CT
bureau or one government, and Is there
fore deserving OF your liberal support. The
fact that It is about to enter a new build
ing, erected through the munificenee of an
American philanthropist and the contrlbu-
lions of all the American nations. where
both its efficiency Of administration and
expense Of maintenance will naturally b
much augmented, further entities It to
special consideration.
In the far east this government preserves
unchanged its Dsliey Of supporting the
principle Of equality. Of opportunity, and
soruPuious respect for the integrity OF the
chinese Empire, to which policy are pledged
the interested powers OF both east and
west.
Relations with China.
BY the treaty of 1908 China has under
: taken the abolition Of likin with moderate
and proportionate raising OF the customs
tariff along with currency reform. These
reforms being OF manifest advantage to
foreign commerce as well as TO the interests
\ OF China, this government is endeavorins