The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1911-12-15

@Snins ton, Dec. THE first of Presi-
cent Tafts promised special messages
vas read in congress today. It deals en-
- Icy WIN foreign affairs. The message
The relations Of the United States with
S countries have continued during the
SSat WE'VE months upon a basis Of the
usual good will and friendly intercourse.
Arbitration.
me year just passed marks an i'm
pottAnt general movement on the part of
tHe powers for broader arbitration. In
me recognition of the manifold benefits
20 mankind in the extension Of the policy
u the settlement of international dis
putes by arbitration rather than by war
Sho In response to a widespread demand
Ior an advance in that direction on the
pa5t OF the people OF the United States
ana OF Great Britain and Of France. new
ar1tration treaties were negotiated last
spring with Great Britain and France,
me terms of which were designed. as
expressed in the preamble of these treat
ttes, 10 extend the scope and obligations Of
the policy OF arbitration adopted in our
present treaties with those governments.
~ ~ 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
n nlSo expedited the negotiations with sig
oeen submitted to the senate and are
awaiting its advice and consent to their
rauncatiOn. All the essentials of these
important treaties have long been known,
and II Is my earnest hope that they will
receive prompt and favorable action.
Claim of AIsop & Co. Settled.
am glad to report that on July last
Ihe American claim of Alsop & Co.
finally disposed Of by the decision OF his
Britannia majesty George v, to whom,
as amiable compositeur, the matter had
been referred for determination. His
majesty made an award of nearly sl,0O0.-
BOO to the claimants, which was promptly
pald by Chile. The settlement OF this
controversy has happily eliminated from
Chile and the United States the only
question which for two decades had Civ
en- the two foreign Offices any serious
structed development of the relations of
friendship which IT has been the aim Of
this government in every possible way to
further and cultivate.
Arbitrations.
In further illustration of the practical
and benetcent application Of the prtnci-
pie Of arbitration and the underlying
broad spirit Of conciliation, 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 q solution of a boundary dispute,
which came as a heritage from Colombia
to the new republic Of Panama, upon its
don. In Jangary 1919 at o se request h 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,
boundary commission, according to the
international agreement, has now been
appointed, and 1t is expected that the ar
guments win shortly proceed and that
N1Tlz -uTa F77f ms will
ably and satisfactorily terminated.
Again, a few months ago 1t appeared
that the Dominican republic and Haiti
were about TO enter upon hostilittes 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.
Mexico.
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 saIeguaTa AmeE en-
United States. in its desire TO secure
proper observance and enforcement OF
the so-called neutrality statutes OF the
federal government, issued directions to
the appropriate officers to exercise q dill
gent and vigilant regard for the require
ments of such rules and laws. Although
q condition OF actual armed conflict eX-
listed there was no official recognition OF
belligerency involving the technical neu-
trality obligations Of international law.
On the 6th OF March last. in the alb
sence of the secretary Of state, had a
personal interview with Mr.. Wilson, the
ambassador OF the United States to Mex
leo in which he reported to me that the
conditions in Mexico were much more
critical than the press dispatches dis
closed: that President Diaz was on vol
cano Of popular uprising; that the small
syrnptomatic OF the whole condition; that
a very large per cent. Of the people were
in sympathy with the insurrection; that
Time in which case he feared that the
40 600 or more American residents in
Mexico might be assailed. and that the
very large American investments might
he Injured or destroyed
After a conference with the secretary
Of war and the secretary OF the navy,
thought II wise to assemble an army
Ter brigade OF three regiments at
Galveston a brigade OF infantry In the
Los Angeles district of southern Can-
Tornia, together with a squadron OF bat
tIeshins and cruisers and transports at
Galveston and small squadron OF ships
~ san Diego At the same time. through
: Tu axpressed to President Diaz the hope
that no apprehensions might result from
~ founded contecturss as to these mill
tarv nnaneuvers. and assured him that
tSsx had no significance which should
cause concern to his government.
am more than nRppy to here record
the fact that all apprehensions as to the
ssrect Of the presence OF so large mill
tsry force in Texas proved Eroundiess;
no disturbances occurred
Eron, time to time communications
,rsrs received from Ambassador Wilson 4
r,Sn had returned to Mexico, confirming
tbs view that the masstng of American
ICONS in the neighborhood had had good
effect, -,
The inxurrection continued and resulted
q, engagements between the regular
MEXICAN troops and the insurgents, and
iris along the border. so that In several
Instances bullets from the centenaing
forces struck American citizens engaged
IN their lawful occupations on American
proper protests were made against
,bass fnyasions OF American rights TO the
Mexican authorities.
rrhn nreSence Of a large military and
,ax,aI force available for prompt action.
80 the Mexican border, proved to be
ths r,ost fortunate under the somewhat
s-SSIrg Conditions presented by this inra-
sion az American rights.
The policy and action Of this govern
r,snt were based upon an earnest triena-
nneEs Tor the Mexican people a. whole,
and n h a matter Of Granncauon 20 nete
,hst This attitude 81 strict importantly a.
10 ali factions In Mexico and OF sincere