The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-12-06
FORTIFY THE CANAL
HE URGES CONGRESS
He Deals With Various Phas-
es of the Conservation
Question, but Opposes Wa
ter Power Monopoly.
FAVORS PARCELS POST
Endorses Ship Subsidy Plan
in Unqualified Language
Suggests Way of Manag-,
Ing the Canal.

ing TIC NdIldl.
Washington. Dec. 8-President Taft
sent his annual message to congress
today. II is as follows:
To the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives:
During the past year the foreign re-
iations OF the United States have con-
tinued upon basis Of friendship and
good understanding
The year has been notable as wit
Messing the pacific settlement Of two
important international controversies
before the permanent court OF The
Hague.
Tho arbitration Of the fisheries dis
putc between the United States and
Great Britain. which has been the
source OF nearly continuous diplomatic
correspondence since the fisheries con-
vcntion Of 1918. has given an award
which is satisfactory to both parties.
This arbitration Is particularly note
worthy not only because OF the emf.
nently just results secured, but also be-
cause II is the first arbitration held un-
der the general arbitration treaty Of
April 4. 1908. between the United
States and Great Britain and disposes
OF controversy the settlement Of
which for nearly ninety years has been
the cause Of friction between two
countries whose common interest lies
IN maintaining the most friendly and
cordial relations with each other.
The United States was ably repre-
scented before the tribunal. The COM
plIcnted history Of the questions aris-
Ing made the issue depend more than
ordinarily In such cases upon the care
and skill with which our case was
presented. and I should be wanting in
proper recognition Of a great patriotic
service II did not refer to tho lucid
historical analysis OF the facts and the
signal ability and force Of argument
six days In length-presented TO the
court In support OF our case by Mr..
Elihu Root. As secretary Of state Mr..
Root had given close study to the in
tricate facts bearing on the contro-
versy and by diplomatic correspond
cncc had helped to frame the issues.
At the solicitation Of the secretary of
state and myself Mr.. Root. though bur.
dened by his duties an senasor from
New York, undertook the preparation
Of tho case M leading counsel. with
the condition imposed by himself that
In view Of his position as senator he
should not receive any compensation.
The tribunal constituted at The
Hague by the governments Of the Unit.
ed States and Venezuela has completed
its deliberations and has rendered an
award In the case Of the Orinoco
Steamship company against Venezuela
The award may be regarded as satisfac.
tory since II has. pursuant to the con-
tenticns Of the United States. recog.
nised a number Of important principles
making for a judicial attitude in the
determining of International disputes.
In view of grave doubts which had
been raised as to the constitutionality
Of The Hague convention for the es.
tablishment Of an International prize
court, now before the senate for ratifi
cation. because of that provision Of the
convention which provides that there
may be an appeal to the proposed court
from the decisions of national courts
this government proposed in an identic
circular note addressed to those powers
which had taken part In the London
maritime conference that the powers
signatory to the cow ention. IL con.
fronted with such difiiculty. might In
sert q reservation to the effect that ap
peals to the international prize court
In respect to decisions Of Its national
tribunals should take the form Of a d.
rect claim for compensation, that the
proceedings thcreupon to be taken
should be In the form Of a trial de move
and that Judgment Of the court should
consist Of compensation for the illegal
capture irrespective Of the decision OF
the national court whose judgment had
thus been internationally involved.
As the result Of an informal discus
sion II was decided to provide such pro
cctiurc by means Of a separate protocol
which should be ratified at the same
time as the prize court convention II
self.
Accordingly the government OF the
Netherlands at the request Of this gov
eminent proposed under date Of May
"a. 1910. TO the powers signatory tl
The Hague convention the negotiation
Of q supplemental protocol embodyins
stipulations providing for this aiterna
tive procedure. II Is gratifying to OBJ
serve that this additional protocol is
tpclng signed without objection by the
powers siguatory TO the original con
vcption and that there Is every reason
Ia believe that the international. prize
court will be soon established.
rho identic circular note also pro
poeed that the international prize cour,
1. when established should be endowed
with the functions OF an arbitral cour,
ofiustice under and pursuant to the
Recommendation adopted by the last
Hague conference. The replies receiv'
ed from tbs. various powers to this pro
posal inspire the hope that this also