Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-06

many years been burdened with
heavy bonded debt~held in Europe. the
interest on which long ago fell in ar
rears. Finally conditions were such
that it became imperative to refund
the debt and place the finances of the
republic upon sound basis. Last
year a group of American bankers I'M
dertook to do this and to advance
funds for railway and other improve
ments contributing directly to the
country's prosperity and commerce-an
arrangement which has long been de-
sired by this government Negotiations
to this end have beep under way for
more than a year, and it is now conf
IDENTITY believed that a short time will
suffice to conclude an arrangement
which will be satisfactory TO the for
eign creditors. eminently advantageous
to Honduras and highly creditable to
the judgment and foresight of the
Honduranean government. This is
much TO be desired since, as recognized
by the Washington conventions. a
strong Honduras would tend immense
ly to the progress and prosperity of
Central America.
During the past year the republic of
/
ternecine struggle. General Zelaya.
for seventeen years the absolute ruler
of Nicaragua, was throughout his ca
reer the disturber of Central America
and opposed every plan for the pro-
motion of peace and friendly relations
between the FIVE republics.
When the people of Nicara qua were
| finally driven into rebellion by his law
less exactions he violated the laws of
war by the unwarranted execution, of
! two American citizens who had regu-
/ larry enlisted in the ranks of the rev.
olutioniSts. This and other offenses
made it the duty of the American gov
eminent to take measures with a view
! to ultimate reparation and for the
/ safeguarding of its interests
J This involved the breaking off OF all
| diplomatic relations with the Zelaya
! government for the reasons laid down
/ in a communication from the secretary
! of state, which also notified the con-
/ tending factions in Nicaragua that this
/ government would hold each to strict
/ accountability for outrages on the
rights of American citizens. American
/ forces were sent to both coasts of Nj
| caragua to be in readiness should oc-
( casion arise to protect Americans and
/ their interests and remained there IN
/ til the war was over and peace had
! returned to that unfortunate country.
/ These events. together with Zelaya's
! continued exactions, brought him so
| clearly to the bar of public opinion
/ that he was forced to resign and to
| take refuge abroad
/ In the above mentioned communica-
/ ton of the secretary of state to the
| charge d'affaires of the Zelaya govern
ment the opinion was expressed that
/ the revolution represented the wishes
/ of the majority of the Nicaraguan peo-
! pie This has now been proved beyond
/ doubt by the fact that since the com
! plete overthrow Of the Madriz govern
ment and the occupation of the capital
! by the forces of the revolution all fac
lions have united to maintain public or
der, and as result of discussion with an
agent of this government sent to Ma
/ nagua at the request of the provisional
government comprehensive plans are
being made for the future welfare of
/ Nicaragua, including the rehabilitation
/ of public credit. The moderation and
I conciliatory spirit shown by the vari-
/ Gus factions give ground for the con-
/ fident hope that Nicaragua will soon
| take its rightful place among the law
! abiding and progressive countries Of
/ the world
! 1t grati6es me exceedingly to an
nounce that the Argentine Republic
( some months ago placed with American
manufacturers a contract for the con-
struction of two battIeships and certain
additional naval equipment. The ex-
/ tent of this work and its Importance to
the Argentine Republic make the plac-
ing of the bid an earnest of friendly
/ feeling toward the United States.
Tariff Negotiations.
The new tariff law in section re-
/ specting the maximum and minimum
/ tariffs of the United States. which pro-
/ visions came into effect on April l.
J 1910, imposed upon the president the
/ responsibility of determining prior to
/ that date whether or not any undue
1 discrimination existed against the Unit
ed States and its products in any coun-
try of the world with which we sus-
+ tanned commercial relations.
stances of apparent undue discrimina-
/ ton against American commerce were
( found to exist These Determinations
were removed by negotiation. Prior
to April /, 1910. when the maximum
tariff was to come into operation with
respect to inportations from all those
countries in whose favor no proclama-
ton applying the minimum tariff
should be issued by the president, 1874
such proclamations were issued This
/ series of proclamations embraced the
entire commercial world. and hence
the minimum tariff of the United
| States has been given universal appli-
cation, thus testifying to the satiSfac-
tory character of our trade relations
with foreign countries
Marked advantages to the commerce
Of the United States were obtained
through these tariff settlements. For
eign nations are fully cognizant Of the
fact that under section . of tho tariff