The searchlight., 1911-12-15
Special Message Discusses
Years Intercourse With
Other Countries.
REVIEWS MEXICAN CIVIL WAR
Mobilization Of American Troops on
Southern Border ExpiaIned-For.
elqn Trade ReIations-Need
For American Merchant
Marine.

Marine.
Washington, Dec 7.-President Taft
today sent to congress a special mes
cage on foreign relations. The mes
sage follows:
The relations of the United States
with 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 arbitration.
In the recognition of the manifold
BENEFITS to makind In the extension Of
the policy Of the settlement Of inter-
national disputes by arbitration rather
than by war. and in response to Q
widespread demand for an advance in
that direction on the part OF the peo-
pie Of the United States 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 ex-
pressed In the preamble Of these
treaties. to extend the scope and obli-
cations 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 ex-
pedited the negotiations with signal
good will. The new treaties have been
submitted to the senate and are
awaiting its advice and consent to
their ratification. All the essentials
Of these important treaties have long
been known. and 1t is my earnest
hope that they will receive prompt
and favorable action.
Claim Of Alsop 4 Co. Settled.
I am glad to report that on July 8
last the American claim OF Alsop 4
Co. against the government Of Chile
was finally disposed Of by the decision
OF his Britannia majesty George w.. to
whom. a. amiable compositeur. the
matter had been referred for deter
mination. His majesty made an
award Of nearly 100000 to the
claimants. which was promptly paid
BY Chile. The settlement Of this con-
troversy has happily eliminated from
the relations between the republic Of
Chile and the United States the only
question which for two decades had
given the two foreign ofnces any seri-
Gus concern and makes possible the
unobstructed development Of the rela-
tions of friendship which It has been
the aim Of this government In every
possible way to further and cultivate.
ArbltratIons.
In further illustration of the practi.
cal and benencent application of the
principle Of arbitration and the under
lying broad spirit OF conciliation, am
happy to advert to 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.
Since the date OF their independ-
ence, Colombia and Costa Rica had
been seeking a solution of q boundary
dispute. which came. as q heritage
from Colombia to the new republic OF
Panama. upon its beginning life a. an
Independent nation. Although the dis
putants had submitted this question
for decision to the president of
France under the terms Of an arbitra-
ton treaty. the exact Interpretation
Of the provisions Of the award rem
dered had been matter of serious
disagreement between the two coun-
tries, both contending for widely dif.
ferent lines even under the terms of
the decision. Subsequently and since
1908 this boundary question had been
the subject OF fruitless diplomatic ne
gotiations between the parties. In
January, 1910. at the request Of both
governments the agents representing
them met In conference at the depart
ment Of state and subsequently con-
cludsd Q protocol submitting this long.
pending controversy to the arbitral
judgment Of the chief Justice Of the
United States. who consented to act
In this capacity. A boundary commis-
sion. according to the international
agreement. has now been appointed.
ana Il - expeetsd that the arguments
vtll shortly proceed and that this long.
standing dispute win be honorably
end satisfactoeily Terminated.
Again. Q few mopths ago II appeared