The Elbert County tribune., 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

was read in congress today 1t deals en-
tirely with foreign affairs The message
The relations of the United States with
other countries have continued during ,he
usual good will and friendly intercourse.
Arbitration.
The year Just passed marks i'm
portant general movement on the part OF
the powers for broader arbitration. 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 d widespread demand
Tor an advance In that direction on the
part of the people OF the United States
and Of Great Britain and of France, new
spring with Great Britain and France.
expressed in the preamble of these. treat.
les. to extend the scope and obligations OF
present treaties with those governments.
To pave the way for this treaty with the
United States, Great Britain negotiated
an important modification In It's alliance
with Japan and the French government
also expedited the negotiations with sig
hea nal sood MI. the new treaues ,d nave ave
awaiting 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 Will
receive prompt and favorable action
Claim of Alsop G. Co. Settled.
am glad to report that on July last
the as,nai american rs claim Of Aisop hrs as Eo;
finally disposed of by the decision of his
Britannia majesty George v, to whom;
as amiable compositeur. the matter had
teep referred for determination. His
majesty made an award of nearly sl,OV9,-
Coo to the claimants. which was 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
concern and makes possible the unoo,,
friendship which II has been the aim OF
this government in every possible way TO
further and cultivate.
Arbtrations.
In further illustration of the practical
pie OF arbitration and the underlying
broad spirit of concilaton, l am happy
to sdvert to the part OF the United - states a,s
putes which menaced the peace between
Panama and Costa Rica and between
Haiti and the Dominican republic
Since the date of their independence,
Colombia and Costa Rlca had been seek
ing solution of a boundary dispute,
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 conciud-
ed a protocol submitting this long pend.
ing controversy to the arbtral Judgment
of the chief justice of the United states,
who consented to act in this capacity A
international agreement. has now been
appointed, and 1t is expected that the ar.
this long-standing dispute will be honor
ably and satisfactorily terminated.
Again. few months ago 1t appeared
that the Dominican republic and Haiti
were about to enter upon hostilities be-
cause of complications growing out of an
acrimonious boundary dispute which the
Efforts of many years had failed to solve.
The government of the United states. by
friendly interpretation OF good ofhces.
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 and
difficult situation created along our south
ern border and the necessity for taking
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
ments Of such rules and laws Although
a condition of actual armed conflict ex-
listed. there was no official recognition OF
beliigerency involving the technical neu-
trality obligations of international law
On the 9Th of March last. in the alb
sence OF the secretary OF state, l had
ambassador of the United States to Mex
leo. in which he reported to me that the
conditions In Mexico were much more
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
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
440 900 or more American residents In
Mexico might be assailed. 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 il wise to assemble army
division of full strength at San Antonio,
Tex. brigade OF three regiments AZ
Los Angeles district of southern Cali
fornia together with a squadron OF bat
Galveston, and a small squadron Of ships
at San Diego. At the same time. through
our representative at the CITY OF Mexico
/ expressed TO President Diaz the hope
that no apprehensions might result from
unfounded conjectures as to these mill
tary maneuvers and assured him that
they had no Significance which should
cause concern to his government
1 am moro than nappy 10 here record
the fact that all apprehensions as TO the
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 insurrectlon continued and resulted
in engagements 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 a large military and
naval force available for prompt action,
near the Mexican border, proved to be
the most fortunate under the somewhat
trying conditions presented by this inva-
sion OF American rights.
The policy and action of this govern