The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-12-06
Supports Payne Bill
In Message.
''FORTIFY The CANAL"
FaVOTS. Parcels Post and New
Labor Laws.

President Writes to Congress on Vari-
Gus Phases Of Conservation, Opposes
Water Power Site Monopoly, In
dersss ship Subsidy Plan In UnquaIi-
fed Language, Suggests Ways of
Managing Panama Canal In Future,
Rates Of Toll, Etc.
Washington, Dec. 6.-President Taft
sent his annual message to congress
today. 1t is as follows:
To the Senate and House Of Repre-
gentatiYes:
During the past year the foreign re-
lations Of the United States have con-
tinued upon a 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.
The arbitration of the fisheries dis
pute between the United States and
Great Britain, which has been the
source of nearly continuous diplomatic
correspondence since the fisheries con-
vention of 1918, has given an award
which is satisfactory to both parties.
This arbitration is particularly note
worthy not only because of the emil
nently just results secured, but also be-
cause it is the first arbitration held I'M
der the general arbitration treaty of
April 4, 1908, between the United
States and Great Britain and disposes
Of a 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
plicated 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 1 should be wanting in
proper recognition of great patriotic
service If 1 did not refer to the 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
tr1cate facts bearing on the contro-
versy and by diplomatic correspond
ence had helped to frame the issues
At the solicitation Of the secretary OF
state and myself Mr.. Root, though bur.
dened by his duties as senator from
New York, undertook the preparation
Of the case as leading counsel, with
the condition imposed by himself thai
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 al
award in the case of the OrinocC
Steamship company against Venezuela
The award may be regarded as satisfac
tory since it has, pursuant to the con
tentions of the United States, recog
uized q number Of important principle
making for a judicial attitude in tn
determining of international disputes,
In view of grave doubts which hat
been raised as to the constitutionalit.
pf The Hague convention for the es
adjustment of an international priz
court, now before the senate for ratif
eation, because of that provision of tn
convention which provides that Their
may be an appeal to the proposed cour
from. the decisions of national courts
this government proposed in an identi
circular note addressed to those power
which had taken part in the Londo
maritime conference that the power
signatory to the convention, if col
rronted with such difficulty, might IL
Eert a reservation to the effect that al
peals to the international prize coul
IN respect to decisions of its nations
tribunals should take the form of a
rect claim for compensation, that th
proceedings thereupon to be take
should be in the form of a trial de nov
and that judgment Of the court shout
consist Of compensation for the illeg'
capture irrespective of the decision (
the national court whose Judgment ha
thus been internationally involved.
AS the result of an informal discu
sion it was decided to provide such pr
.edure by means of a separate protoc
which should be ratified at the san
lime as the prize court convention
self
Accordingly the government of Il
Netherlands at the request of this go
eminent proposed under date of Ms
"A. 1910, to the powers signatory
The Hague convention the negotiate
IF a supplemental protocol embodyir
vt1pulatiOns providing for this sltern