Albuquerque morning journal., 1910-12-07
Taft Urges Reorganization Of
Custom House System and
Elimination Of Useless Of
fciaIS and Districts,
CORPORATION EXCISE
TAX LAW WORKS WELL
Policy of Broader and Closer
Trade Relations With Canada
Has Worked to Mutual Ad-
vantage of Both Countries,

TO the Senate and House Of Repre-
scntatiVes
During the past year the foreign re-
lations Of the United states have con-
tiaued uuon a basis Of friendship and
GOOD understanding.
Arbitration.
The year has been notable as W.T.
Messing the pacific settlement OF two
Important International controversies
before the permanent court of The
Hague.
The arbitration of the fisheries dis
p0te between the United States ana
Great Britain which has been the
source of nearly continuous diplomatic
correspondence since the fisheries con
Ncntioa Of 1913, has given an award
which Is satisfactory to both parties.
This arbitration is particularly note
worthy not only because of the emil
nentlV just results secured, but also
beca use it Is the first arbitration heid
under the general arbitration treaty OF
April A. 1908. between the United
states and Great Britain, and dis
poses OF controversy the settlement
Of which has resisted every other re-
source OF diplomacy, and Whlch iof
nearly ninety years has been the
cause Of friction between two
countries whose common inter
est lies in maintaining the most
friendly ana cordial relations with
The United Stttes was ably repre-
sented before the tribunal. The com-
plicatod history OF the questions
arising made the issue depend more
than ordinarily in such eases upon
ho care ana skill With which our
case was presented and ] shall be
wanting in proper reeosnitlon OF
great patriotic service if did not
refer e. the l,rcid 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 intricate Facts Dear
ing on the controversy, and by dipio-
matte correspondence had helped TO
frame the issues. At the solicitation
OF the secretary Of state and myself
Mr.. Root. thoush burdened by MS
duties as senator from New York, un-
dertook the preparation or the case
as leading counsel. with the condi-
lion imposed by himself that in view
of his position as senator he should
not receive any compensation
me tflDllHl tblSlltQtNh Ht iiN
lIlpue BY the governments Of the
rrlted states and Venezuela has com
pleted its deliberations and has rem
dored an award in the case or the
Winoco Steamship company against
Venezuela. The award may be re-
sardcd as satisfactory since il mas
pursuant TO the contentious OF the
ttiicd states. recognized nuhpei
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 constitutionahty
Of The Hague convention for the es-
tablishment OF an international prize
court now before the senate Tor rau-
iicati0n because of that provision OF
The convention which provides tnat
There may be an appeal to the pro-
posed court from the decisions or
notional courts this government pro
posed in an identic circular note dc.
dressed to those powers who had
taken part In the London mariume
conference, that the powers slgnatotS
TO the convention. il confronted VITA
such Difficulty, might insert a reser
Naiion to the effect that appeals TO
thc International prize court III re-
spect to decisions OF us nations
Tribunals. should take the form OF
direct claim for compensation; that
The proceedings thereupon to be taken
should be in the form of trial dc
noNo and that Judgment OF the court
should consist Of compensation lor
the Illegal capture, irrespective OF IN"
decision OF the national court whose
Judgment had thus been information
ally involved. As the result Of an IN
itrmal discussion it was decided 20
lfuvide such procedure by means OF
separate protocol which should De
t'llied at the same time as the prize
'odlt convention itself.
Accordingly the government OF
nv Netherlands. at the request OF
this government proposed under date
o. May "a, 1910. to the powers sie-
ha,orN to The Hague convention. the
nesciiation OF supplemental pro-
tpcUl einbodving stipuiations proVid-
ins Tor this alternative procedure. II
j. t'rgtifying to observe that this at
"iticnal protocol is being signed with
'ui objection. by the powers sigma
tory 80 the original convention. ana
lhai there H. every reason 10 believe
lhat tho International prize court Vii
pe soon established.
The identic circular note also pro-
POSED that the International prize
court whom established should be en-
lowed With the functions OF an arbi-
ut court Of Justice under and pur-
Suhni 60 the recommendation adopted
'N the iust Hague conference. The
'"i'iic- received from IN. various
powers Ia this proposal inspire the
h'A'e iHnt this also may be accom-