The Chanute times., 1911-12-15

tirely with foreign affairs. The message
in part follows: III,
other 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 aroitTatlon an IN
the recognition of the manifold dement's
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
and of Great Britain and OF France, new
arbitration treaties We're negotiateu Iast
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 obllgauons 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 negotialeu
an important modification in Its alliance
with Japan and the French government
also expedited the negotiations with sig
nal good will The new treaties nave
been submitted to the senate ana are
ratification. All the essentials of these
important treaties have long been known;
and It is my earnest hope that they will
receive prompt and favorable action.
Claim of Alsop G. Co. Settled.
I am glad to report that on July last
the American claim of Alsop 60,
against the government of Chile was
finally disposed of by the decision OF MS
Britannia majesty George ", to whom,
as amiable compositeur, the matter had
been referred for determination. HIS
majesty made an award of nearly $l,O0,-
900 to the claimants, which was promptly
paid by Chile. The settlement OF this
controversy has happily eliminated from
r. NI.At lNty hn
Chile and the United States the, only
question which for two decades had CIV
en- the two foreign offices any serious
concern and makes possible me unoo
structed development of the relations OF
friendship which 1t has been the aim OF
this government in every possible way 10
further and cultivate.
ArbItrations.
In further illustration of the practical
and benehcent application OF the prlncl-
pie of arbitration and the underlying
broad spirit of conciliation, ! am happy
to advert to the part of the United states
In facilitating amicabe settlement or DIS
Putes which menaced the peace between
Panama and Costa Rlca ana between
Haiti and the Dominican republic.
Since the date of their independence
Colombia and Costa Rca had been seek
Ing a solution of a boundary dispute,
which came as heritage from Colonp,ia pa
to the new republic OF Panama, upon Its
beginning life as an independent ma
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 q 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 peen
appointed and 1t is expected that the ar.
guments will shortly proceed and that
aDdinQ diSnutp Will be nOnOT-
ably and satisfactorily terminated.
Again, a few months ago it appeared
that the Dominican republic and Haltl
were about to enter upon hostilities be-
cause of complications growing out Of an
acrimonious boundary dispute whlch the
efforts OF many years had falied 10 solve.
The government of the United states py
a friendly interpostion of good othces,
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 ana
difficult situation created along our south
ern border and the necessity Tor taxing
measures properly to safeguard Amerl-
can interests. The government of the
United States, in Its desire to secure
nroner observance and enforcement OF
The so-called neutrality statutes of the
federal government issued directions TO
the appropriate officers to exercise dlll-
gent and vigilant regard for the require
ments of such rules and laws. Although :
q condition OF actual armed conflict eX.
lsted there was no official recognition or
belligerency involving the technical neu-
trality obligations of International law.
On the 9th of March last, in the alb
renee of the secretary of state, had
personal interview with Mr.. Wilson; the
ambassador of the United States TO Mex
leo. in which ne reported to me that the
conditions in Mexico were much more
critical than the press dispatches DIS
closed; that President Diaz was on a vol,
cano Of popular uprising; that the small
outbreaks which had occurred were only
symptomatic of the whole condition. that
a very large per cent. OF the people were
in sympathy with the insurrection; that
General EXPLOSION was probable at any
time in which case he feared that the
100000 or more American residents In
Mexico might be assaled, and that the
very large American investments might
be Injured or destroyed.
After a conference with the secretary
of war and the secretary OF the navy,
thought 1t wise to assemble an army
division of full strength at San Antonio,
Tex. a brigade OF three regiments at
Galveston, a brigade OF infantry In the
Los Angeles district Of southern Call
tleships and cruisers and transports at
galveston and a small squadron of ships
at San Diego. At the same time, through
our representative at the CITY OF Mexico
that no apprehensions might result from
unfounded conjectures as to these mill
tarv maneuvers, and assured him that
they had no significance which should
cause concern to his government
am more than happy to here record
the fact that all apprehensions as to the
effect OF the presence Of so large mill
fary force in Texas proved groundless;
no disturbances occurred.
From time to time communications
v,ers 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 insurrection continued and resulted
,n enRaRements 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 q large military and
natal force available for prompt action,
near the Mexican border, proved to be
the most fortunate under the somewhat
irving 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 whole,
and II is a matter OF qualification TO note
that fhfa attitude OF strict imparuality as