Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1911-12-15
NATION At PEACE
PRESIDENT INFORMS CONGRESS
ABOUT RELATIONS WITH
OTHER COUNTRIES.
NEW ARBITRATION TREATIES
United States Helps In AmIcable Set
Element Of Disputes-Events Con-
,nected With the Mexican Revolu-
tion-Need for Merchant Marine.


are the sole subject of President Tafts
special message, which was submitted
to Congress today. In part the docu-
ment says
The relations OF the United States with
other countries have continued during the
past twelve months upon a basis OF the
usual good will and friendly intercourse
Arbitration.
The year Just passed marks an i'm
portant general movement on the part OF
the powers for broader arbitration. In
the recognition of the manifold benefits
TO mankind in the extension of the policy
OF the settlement of international dis
putes by arbitration rather than by war,
and In response to widespread demand
for an advance in that direction on the
part OF the people of the United States
ana or Great Britain and of France, new
arbitration treaties were negotiated last
spring with Great Britain and France,
the terms of which were designed, as
expressed In the preamble of these treat
les, to extend the scope and obligations OF
the policy of arbitration adopted in our
present treaties with those governments.
To pave the way for this treaty with the
United States. Great Britain negotiated
an important modification in its alliance
with Japan and the French government
also expedited the negotiations with sig
nal good will. The new treaties have
been submitted to the senate and are
ratification. All the essentials of these
important treaties have long been known,
and 1t Is my earnest hope that they will
receive prompt and favorable action.
Affiliations.
In further illustration of the practical
and benefcent application of the princi-
pie of arbitration and the underlying
broad spirit Of Cancellation, I am happy
to advert to the part Of the United States
in facilitating amicable settlement of dis
putes which menaced the peace between
Panama and Costa Rica and between
Haiti and the Dominican republic.
Since the date of their independence.
Colombia and Costa Rica had been seek
ing a solution of a boundary dispute.
which came as heritage from Colombia
to the new republic of Panama upon its
ton. In January. 1910, at the request of
both governments the agents represent
ing them met in conference at the depart
ment of state and subsequently conclud-
ed a protocol submitting this long pend
Ing controversy to the arbitral judgment
of the chief justice of the United States,
who consented to act in this capacity. A
boundary commission, according to the
international agreement, has now been
appointed. and it is expected that the ar
guments will shortly proceed and that
this long standing dispute will be honor
ably and satisfactorily terminated.
Again. few months ago it appeared
that the Dominican republic and Haiti
were about to enter upon hostilities be-
cause of complications growing out OF an
acrimonious boundary dispute which the
efforts of many years had failed to solve.
The government of the United States, by
a friendly interposition Of good offices,
succeeded In prevailing upon the parties
to place their reliance upon some form of
pacific settlement
The recent political events In Mexico
received attention from this government
because of the exceedingly delicate and
difficult situation created along our south
ern border and the necessity for taking
measures properly to safeguard Ameri-
a.
United States. in its desire to secure a
proper observance and enforcement Of
the so-called neutrality statutes of the
federal government, issued directions to
the appropriate officers to exercise a dill
gent and vigilant regard for the require
ments of such rules and laws. Although
listed. there was no official recognition of
belligerency involving the technical neu-
trality obligations of international law.
After a conference with tho secretary
of war and the secretary of tho navy, 1
thought II wise to assemble an army
division Of full strength at San Antonio.
Tex. a brigade OF three regiments at
Los Angeles district of southern Cali
fornia together with squadron of bat
tleships and cruisers and transports at
Galveston, and small squadron of ships
at San Diego. At the same time through
our representative at the City OF Mexico
/ expressed to President Diaz the hope
that no apprehensions might result from
unfounded conjectures as to these mill
tary maneuvers. and assured him that
they had no significance which should
cause concern to his government.
1 am more than happy TO hero record
the fact that all apprehensions as to the
effect of the presence OF so large mill
tary force in Texas proved groundless:
no disturbances occurred.
The insurrection continued and resulted
in engagements between the regular
Mexican troops and the insurgents. and
this along the border, so that in several
instances bullets from the contending
forces struck American citizens engaged
in their lawful occupations on American
soil
Proper protests were made against
these invasions of American rights to the
Mexican authorities.
The presence Of large military and
naval force available for prompt action.
near the Mexican border, proved to be
the most fortunate under the somewhat
trying conditions presented by this inva-
sion of American rights.
The policy and action OF this govern
ment were based upon an earnest friend
illness for the Mexican people as a whole
and 1t Is matter of qualification to note
that this attitude of strict impartiality as
to all factions in Mexico and of sincere
friendship for the neighboring nation,
without regard for party allegiance, has
been generally recognized and has re-
suited In an even closer and more sym
pathetic understanding between the two
republics and a warmer regard one for
the other. Action to suppress violence
and restore tranquility throughout the
Mexican republic was of peculiar inter
est 10 this government in that ii con-
cerned the safeguarding OF American life
and property in that country. On May
70, 1911, President Diaz resigned Senior
oe la Barra was chosen provisional presi-
dent. Elections for president and vice.
president were thereafter held through
out the republic. and Senior Francisco /.
Madero was formally declared elected on
october 10. to the chief magistracy. On
november President Madero entered
upon the duties of his office.
Honduras and Nicaragua Treaties
Proposed.
Az to the situation in Central America
nave taken occasion in the past to en-
phasize most strongly the Importance that
bhouId be attributed to the consumma-
non OF the conventions between the re-
puphcs OF Nicaragua and OF Honduras
ana this country, and / again earnestly
recommend that the necessary advice and
consent of the senate be accorded to
these treaties, which will make 1t posi-
PIE Tor these Central American repub-
hcs 10 enter upon an era of genuine eco
nomic national development
Our relations with the Republic OF
Panama peculiarly important due to mu-
tuaI obligations and the vast interests
created by the canal have continued in
the usual friendly manner, and we have
peen glad to make appropriate express
sion OF our attitude OF sympathetic in
terest in the endeavors of our neighbor
In Undertaking ha Of ba