The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1909-12-10

Legislation Against the Issuance OF
injunctions Without Notice Is Urged
by the Presdent-Finds Nation In
Highly Prosperous Condition.
Washington, Dec. I'm his annual
message, read to congress at noon to-
day, President Taft said:
10 the Senate ANA the House of Rep
resentatives:
The relations of the United States
with all foreign governments have con
tlnued upon the normal basis of amlty
and good understanding and are very
generally satisfactory.
Europe.
The American rights lin the fisheries
on the north Atlantic COAST under the
fisheries article of the treaty of 1918
have been cause of difference be-
tween the United States and Great
Britain for nearly seventy years. The
interests involved are of great lmpor-
tance to the American fishing industry,
and the final settlement of the contro-
versy by the permanent court of ar
bitration at The Haguel will remove
source of constant irritation and com.
plaint. This is the first case involving
such great international questions
which has been submitted to 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.
japan and Russia The attitude of
the governments interested leads me
to hope for satisfactory settlement of
this question as the ultimate outcome
Of the negotiations.
The Near East.
The quick transition of the govern
ment of the Ottoman empire from one
of retrograde tendencies to consti-
tutional government with a parlia.
ment and with progressive modern
policies of reform and public improve
ma OF our times. Constitutional gov.
ernment seems also to have made
&urther advance in Persia These
events have turned the eyes of the
world upon the near east. In thar
quarter the prestige Of the United
states has spread widely through the
peaceful influence of American schools.
nj nd
is every reason why we should obtain
a 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
ciic, independent settlement by the
governments of Bolivia and Peru of
boundary difference between them,
which for some weeks threatened to
cause war and even to entrain i'm
bitterments affecting other republics
less directly concerned,
Our Citizens Abroad.
This administration, through the de-
ice. is lending all proper support to
legitimate and beneficial American en-
terprises in foreign countries. the de-
gree of such support being measured
by the national advantages to be eX-
pected A citizen himself cannot by
contract or otherwise divest himself
OF the right, nor can this government
escape the obligation, of his protcc-
tion in his personal and property
rights when these are unjustly in
fringed in a foreign country. To avoid
eeaseless vexations 1t IS proper that in
considering whether American enter
prise should be encouraged or support.
ed in particular country the govern
ment should give full weight not only
90 the national as opposed to the lndi.
vidual benefits to accrue, but also to
the fact whether or not the COVER"
ment of the country in question :,
its administration and In - .:yesstA, :
faithful to the principles OF modera.
tion, equity and justice upon which
alone depends international credit in
diplomacy as well as In finance.
The Monroe Doctrine.
The pan-Amercan policy of this
government has long been fixed in its
principles and remains unchanged
With the changed circumstances OF the
United States and Of the republics to
the south OF us. most of which have
great natural resources, stable govern
ment and progressive ideals, the ap'
prehension which gave rise to the
Monroe doctrine may be said to have
nearly disappeared, and neither the
doctrine as II exists nor any other doc
trine of American policy should be
permitted to operate for the perpetua
ton of irresponsible government, the
escape of just obligations or the insidi
Gus allegation of dominating ambitions
on the part of the United States.
Nv meeting with President Diaz anC
Lne greeting exchanged on both Amer
lean and Mexican soil served. | hope
to signaize the close and cordial rela
tions which so well bind together this
republic and the great republic imme
dlately to the south, between which
there is so vast network of materia
interests.