Rocky Ford enterprise., 1911-12-15
President Taft Sends in Special Message
Reviewing Our Relations With
Other Countries.
Important General Movement for Broader Arbitration On
Part of Powers is Noted--Mexican War Dis
cussed--Merchant Marine Needed.

dent Tatts promised special messages
was read in congress today. 1t deals en-
tirely with foreign affairs. The message
in part follows;
other countries have continued during the
past twelve months upon basis OF l 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;
for an advance in that direction on the
part of the people Of the United states
arbi,Gation s1 treaties were eae 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, Thes, new treaties have
awaiting It's advice and consent TO their
ratification. All the essentials of these
and II Is my earnest hope that they Will
receive prompt and favorable action.
Claim of Alsop & Co. Settled.
/ am glad to report that on July last
the American claim Of AlsoP us co;
finally disposed OF by the decision OF his
Britannia majesty George ", to whom;
been referred for determination. His
majesty made award OF nearly 500
goo TO the claimants. which promptly
paid by Chile. The settlement of this
controversy has happily eliminated from
the relations between the republic OF
question which for two decades had CIV
en- the two foreign offices any serious
structed development OF the relations of
friendship which II has been the aim OF
this government in every possible way to
further and cultivate
AFFILIATIONS.
In further illustration of the practical
and benehcent application of the princi-
pie OF arbitration and the underlying
broad spirit OF conciliation. ! am happy
TO advert TO the part OF the United States
in facilitating amioable settlement of dis
putes which menaced the peace between
Panama and Costa Ricu and between
Haiti and the Dominican republic.
Since the date OF their independence,
Colombia and Costa Rlch had been seek
ing solution OF boundary dispute.
which came as a heritage from Colombia
to the new republic Of Panama, upon its
beginning life as an independent ma
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 10 the aTbltral Judgment
who consented 10 act In this capacity.
boundary commission. according to the
international agreement has now oeeh
appointed. and Il is expected that the ar
guInents will shortly proceed and that
This long-standlng dispute Will be honor
ably and satisfactorily terminated.
Again, a few months ago 1t appeared
that The Dominican republic and Haiti
were about to enter upon hosunties be-
acrimonious boundary dispute which the
Efforts OF many years had failed TO solve,
The government OF the United States. by
friendly Interpolation of good offices.
succeeded in prevailing upon the parties
10 place their reliance upon some form OF
pacific settlement.
Mexico,
'rhe recent political events In Mexico
received attention FROM this government
because OF the exceedingly delicate and
difficult situation created along our south
.rn border and The necessity for taking
measures properly to safeguard Afneri-
can Interests. Tile government OF the
United States, In It's desire 10 secure q
proper Observance and entorcement OF
the su-called neutrality statutes OF tnt
federal government. Issued directions 70
the appropriate officers TO exercise dlll-
gent and vigilant regard for the require
meuta OF such rules and laws. AlthouEh
condition OF actual armed conflict ex-
isted. there was no ofncial recognition OF
belllgercncy Involving the technical neil
trality obligations Of International law.
on the sih of March last. in the alb
sencc OF the secretary OF state had
personal Interview with Mr.. Wilson; the
Ambassador OF the United States to Mex
leo. in which he reported TO me that Tue
conditions In Mexico were much more
.rltIcal than the press dispatches dis
,iossd: that President Diaz was on vol
rano Of popular uprising; that the small
outbreaks which had occurred were only
syinptomatic OF the whole condition that
n very large per cent. of the people were
in sympathy 9th the insurrection. that -
general explosion was probable al any
lime. In which case he feared that the
40 80 or more American residents in
MrNiro might be assailed. and that the
very large American Investments might
h.. Injured or destroyed.
After conference with the secretary
II war and the secretary OF the navy, !
thought 81 wise to assemble an rrmy
divIsion of full strength at San Antonio.
Tex a brigade Of three regiments AT
galveston a brigade OF Infantry in the
~, Angeles district Of southern Calf
fornia together with squadron OF bat
tleships and cruisers and transports al
Galvertun. and a small squadron of ships
al san Diego. At the same time. through
our representative at the city of Mexico
.ypressed to President piaz the hope
ihat no approximations might result from
unfnunded conjectures as 10 these mill
tary maneuvers, and assured nun mn
they had no Significance winch shoulh
cause concern to his government.
am more than HAPPY 10 here record
the fact that all apprehensions as 10 the
eject Of the presence OF so large "a 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 tho ninsslnS OF American
troops In the neighborhood had had GOOD
effect
The insirrection continued and resulted
iu engagements between the regular
Mexican troops and the insurgents. and
mis- nlouE the border. so that In several
instuucrs bullets from the ContendinE
forS@s struck American citizens engaged
In their lawful occupations on American
raii-
Proper protests were mnde against
these invasIons OF American rights to the
Mexican authorities
The presence OF large military and
naval force available Tor prompt action.
near the Mexican border. proved TO he
lie most fortunate under tho somewhat
irving conditions presented by this lnNa-