Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-07

Taft discussed foreign relations in
message read to congress today.
He said:
10 the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentatives:
The relations OF the United States
Win other countries have continued
during the past twelve months upon q
basis Of the usual good viii and friend
ly intercourse.
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 inter |
national disputes by arbitration rather |
than by war and in response to a wide |
spread demand for an advance In that |
direction on the part Of the people of
the United States and Of Great Brit
ain and Of France, new arbitration
treaties were negotiated last spring
with Great Britain and France, the
terms Of which were designed, as e1-
pressed in the preamble Of these trea-
ties, to extend the scope and obliga-
uons Of the policy Of arbitration adopt
ed 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 ex-
pedited the negotiations with signal
good VIII. The new treaties have been
submitted to the senate and are await
ing its advice and consent TO their
ratification. All the essentials of these
important treaties have long been
known, and it is my earnest hope that
they VIII receive prompt and favora-
BILE action.
! 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 his Britannia majesty George ", to
whom, as amiable compositeur, the
matter had been referred for determi-
nation. His majesty made an award
Of nearly 100000 to the claimants,
which was promptly paid by Chile. 80
In further illustration OF the practi-
cal and benehcent application of the
principle OF arbitration and the under
lying broad spirit OF Cancellation, am
happy to advert 10 the part Of the
United States in facilitating amicable
settlement OF disputes which menaced
the peace between Panama and Costa
Rica and between Haiti and the Do
minican Republic.
SITUATION A MENACE.
On the 9th of March last, in the alb
sence OF the secretary of state, had
a personal interview with Mr.. Wilson
the ambassador Of the United Slater
10 Mexico, in which he reported to me
that the conditions in Mexico were
much more critical than the press dis
patches disclosed: that President Diaz
was on volcano of popular uprising;
that the small outbreaks which had
occurred were only symptomatic OF
the whole condition; that n very large
per cent OF the people were in sym
PATTY 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
Mexico might be assailed and that
the very large American investments
might be injured or destroyed.
After q conference with the secretary
Of war and the secretary OF the navy
j thought II wise TO assemble an army
division OF full strength at San An
tonic, Tex. a brigade Of three regi-
ments ut Galveston, a brigade OF in
fantry in the Los Angeles district of
southern California. together with a
squadron OF battleships and cruisers
and transports at Galveston and a
small squadron OF ships at San Diego
At the same time through our repre-
sentative at the City Of Mexico, / ex-
pressed 20 President Diaz the hope
that no Rpprehensions might result
from unfounded conjectures as to
these military maneuvers and assured
him that they had no significance
which should cause concern TO his gov.
eminent
The mobilization was effected with
great promptness. and on the 18th OF
March. through the secretary OF wal
and the secretary Of the navy. in let
ter addressed 10 the chief OF STAFF
ISSutu Tue ltltpNALN lllHtI uCllouS.
at seems my duty rs commander IL
chief to place troops in sufficient mum
Der where II congress shall direct thai
they enter Mexico TO save American
lives ard property an effective move
ment may be promptly made. -
The assumption by the press that
contemplate Intervention on Mexican
soil TO protect American lives or prop
erty IS OF course. gratuitous. because
seriously doubt whether l have sucl
authority under any circumstances
und II I had would not exercise
without express congressional approx
al. 80
In the Brst place. want to max
the mobilization 4 first class trainin
for the army. and ] wish you woul
give your time and that OF the Wa
college 10 advising and carrying on
maneuyers OF useful character an
plan TO continue TO do this during tn
next three months. By that time W
may aspect that either AmbassadO
Wilson's fears will have been realize
and chaos and its consequences hav
ensued or that the present government