Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-12-13

Washington, Dec THE first of Presi-
dent Taft's promised special messages
was read In congress today. II deals en-
!trely with foreign affairs The message
In part follows:
The relations OF the United States with
otner countries have continued during the
past twelve months upon 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
10 mankind In the extension Of the policy
OF the settlement of International dis
putes by arbitration rath er than by war,
and In response to a widespread demand
for an advance In that direction on the
part OF the people of the United States
r and OF 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 or
the policy Of arbitration adopted in our
present treaties with those governments.
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
awaiting its advice and consent to their
important treaties have long been known,
and II is my earnest hope that they viii
receive prompt and favorable action.
Claim of AIsop & Co. Settled.
am glad to report that on July last
the American claim of Alsop & CO.
against the government OF Chile was
finally disposed of by the decision OF MS
Britannia majesty George ", to whom;
been referred for determination. His
majesty made an award Of nearly sl.OO0,-
BOO to the claimants. which was promptly
paid by Chile. The settlement OF TINS
controversy has happily eliminated from
the relations between the repubnc OF
Chile and the United States the only
en- the two foreign offices any serious
concern and makes possible the unob-
structed development OF the relations OF
friendship which 1t has been the aim OF
this government in every possible way TO
further and cultivate.
Arbltratlons.
In further illustration of the practical
AMI beneficent application Of the princi-
pie of arbitration and the underlying
TO advert to the part OF the United States
In facilitating amicable settlement or dls-
putes which menaeed 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 sl co oi1spIhte
20 the new republic of Panama, upon its
beginning life as an Independent ne.
W.
both governments the agents represent
ing them met in conference at the depart
ment of state and subsequently concluo-
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 10 the
international agreement has now been
appointed, and II is expected that the ar
guments win shortly proceed and that
this song-standing dispute will be honor
a enthusiastically terminated.
Again few months ago 1t appeared
that the Dominican republic ana hltl
were about to enter upon hostlhties be-
cause of complications growing out OF an
acrimonious boundary dispute whlch the
efforts OF many years had failed 10 solye.
The government of the United states py
a friendly interposition of good offices.
succeeded in prevailing upon the rsrues
to place their reliance upon some form or
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 taxing
measures properly to safeguard Ameri-
can interests The government of the
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 dill
gent and vigilant regard for the require
q condition Of actual armed conflict ex-
listed there was no official recognition OF
belligerency involving the technical neu-
traIity obligations of international law.
On the 6th of March last. in the alb
sence of the secretary of state, had
personal interview with Mr.. wilson. the
ambassador of the United States 70 Mex
leo in which he reported 10 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
outbreaks which had occurred were only
symptomatic of the whole condition; that
q very large per cent OF the people were
In sympathy with the instruction; that a
general explosion was probable at any
time In which case he feared that the
10000 or more American residents IN
MexIeo might be assailed. and that he
very large American investments might
be Injured or destroyed.
After conference with the secretary
of war and the secretary OF the navy, l
fhourht IL wise TO assemble an army
division E1i3 strength at san Antonio,
Tex. a brigade Of three regiments at al
los Angeles district of southern Cali
sornia together with squadron OF bat
tleships and cruisers ana transports a, az
Galveston and small squadron OF snlps
nj San Diego. At the same time, thro ign
our representative at the City or Mexico
expressed to President Iiaz the nope
,Infouufed conjectures as to these milf
tarv maneuvers. end assured him that
they had no SlEnlhEduCE HAiNh SAONAN
cause concern to his government.
1 am more than happy TO here 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
From time to time communications
were received from Ambassador wilson,
who had returned to Mexico, confirming
the view that the massing OF American
troops in the neighborhood had had good
effect
The instruction continued and resulted
sn engagements between the regular
Mexican troops and the insurgents. and
this along the border. so that in several
Instances bullets from the contendins
sn their lawful occupations on American
soil.
Proper protests were made against
these invasions of American rights 70 the
Mexican authorities.
rhe presence of large military and
naval force available for prompt action
near the Mexican border, proved 10 be
the most fortunate under the somewhat
fryjng conditions presented by this inva.
sion OF American rights.
The policy and action Of this govern
ypent were based upon an earnest friend
Tness for the Mexican people as whole
and it is a matter of qualification to note
that this attitude Of strict impartiality as
to all factions In Mexico and of sincere
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Works Splendidly.
-. H. ,-o,,r srFekol