The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-12-06
Supports Payne Bill
 In Message.
"FORTIFY THE CANAL"
favOrs Parcels Post ard New
 Labor Laws.

lQJUI l0nS,
 President Writes to Congress on Vari.
 ous Phases of Conservation. Opposes
 Water Power Site Monopoly, In.
 dorses Ship Subsidy Plan In unquaIi-
 fled 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. It Is as follows: s To the Senate and House of Repre-
 sentatives:
 During the past year the foreign re- latiOns 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.
 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 ISIS. has given an award which is satisfactory to both parties This arbitration Is particularly note worthy not only because of the emi- nently just results secured. but also be cause 1t Is the first arbitration held un. der the general arbitration treaty of April 4. 1918. 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 pIicafed 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 l should be wanting in prOper recognition of great patriotic service If l 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 Mir. Elihu Root As secretary of state Mir Root had given close study to the in tricate facts bearing oD the contro- versy and by diplomatic correspond ence had helped to frame the issues. At the solicitation of the secretary of state and myself Mir. 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 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 Sfea mship company against Venezuela The wnrd may be rega r1ed as satisfac- tory since it has. pursuant to the con- tenfions of the United States. recOg- nized a number of important principles making for a judicial attitude iD 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 t<<. k<~x vrk from the decisions of national courts. this government proposed in an idenric circular note addressed to those powers which had taken part in the London maritime conference that the powers signatory to the convention, if con fronted with such difficulty. might in sert 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 di. rect claim for compensation. that the 1roceedings thereupOn to be taken should he in the form of a trial de nOvo and that judgment of the court should consist of compensation for the illegal capture irrespective of the decision of the national crlrt whose judgment had thus been internationally involved
 As the result of an informal discus sion it was decided to provide such pro- cedure by means of separate protocol which should be ratified at the same time as the prize court convention It. self
 Accordingly the government of the Neither lands af the request of this gov ernment proposed under date of May 24. 1910. to the powers signatory to The Hague convention the negotiation of a supplemental protocol embodyine sripulations providing for this aiterna- tive procedure. It is gratifying to ob serve that this additional protocol Is being signed without objection by the powers sgnatOry to the original con. veDtion and that there is every reason to believe that the international prize court will be soon established
 The identic circular note also pro posed that the international prize court when established should be endowed with the functions of an arbifraI court of justice under and pursuant to the recommendation adopted by the last Hague conference The replies receiv- ed from the various powers 10 this pro-