Norwich bulletin., 1910-12-07

Washington, Dec. 6.-President Taft sent his annual message to congress today. It is as follows:
 To the Senate and House of Repre-
 sentatives:
 During the past year the foreign re latiCns of the United States have con- tnued 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 nenty just results secured but also be- cause 1t 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 pl1cated 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 if 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 MT Elihu Root. As secretary of state Mir Root had given close study to the in- tricate 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 Mir. Root, though bur dened by his duties as senator from
 
 of the case as leading counsel, with the condition imposed by himself that tn 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 fits deliberations and has rendered an award in the case of the Orinoco Steamship company against Venezuela. The award may be regarded as satisfae- tory since 1t has, pursuant to the con- tentions of the United States, recog- nized number of important principles making for 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 ratiti- 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 convention, if con fronted with such difficulty, might in vert reservation to the effect that ap- peals to the international prize court kn respect to decisions of it's national Tribunals should take the form of di- rect claim for compensation, that the Proceedings thereupon to be taken ehould be ;u the form Of a trial de p6vo and that judgment of the court should consist of compensation for the illegal capture irrespective of the decision of fhe national court whose judgment had thus been internationally involved.
 As the result Of an informal discus eicq, it was decided to provide such pro- eedUre 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 Netherlands at the request of this gov srnment proposed under date of May A, 1910, to the powers signatory to The Hague convention the negotiation cf a supplemental protocol embodying rtfpulations providing for this alterna- tive procedure. It Is gratifying to ob- serve that this additional protocol is being signed without objection by tine powers sfsnatory to the original con ssntion and that there is every reason ts believe that the international prize eourt will be soon established
 The identic circular note also pro posed that the international prize court when esta biished should be endowed with the functions of an srbitrai court sf justice under and pursuant to the recommendation adopted by the last Hague conference. The replies receiv- ed from the various powers to this pro- posai inspire the hope that this also may he accomplished within the. req ARahsZ Rear futN1a >.