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

rne execution OF a bronze replica Of the
statue of General Won Steuben, erect
ed in Washington. for presentation to
his majesty the German emperor and
the German nation in recognition Of
the gift Of the statue Of Frederick the
Great made by the emperor to the
people Of the United States.
The presentation was made on Sept.
2 last by representatives whom COM
missioned as the special mission Of
this government for the purpose.
The German emperor has conveyed
to me by telegraph, on bis own behalf
and that Of the German people. an e1-
preston Of appreciative thanks for
this action Of congress.
The national constituent assembly,
regularly elected by the vote OF the
Portuguese people, having on June 10
last unanimously proclaimed repub-
hcan form Of government. the official
recognition of the government Of the
United States was given to the new
republic in the afternoon of the same
day.
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS.
The supplementary protocol to The
Hague convention for the establish
ment Of an international prize court,
mentioned in my last annual message,
embodying stipulations providing for
an alternative procedure which would
remove the constitutional objection to
that part Of The Hague convention
which provides that there may be an
appeal to the proposed court from the
decisions Of national courts. has re-
ceived the signature Of the govern
ments parties to the original conven-
ton and has been ratified by the gov
eminent Of the United States. together
with the prize court convention.
The deposit Of the ratifcations with
the government of the Netherlands
awaits action by the powers on the
declaration, signed at London on Feb.
%, 1909, Of the rules of international
law to be recognized within the mean
ing of article Z of The Hague conven-
ton for the establishment of an inter
national prize court
1Ac LUZ Stoi IOuUONGISy uds
at last been satisfactorily adjusted by
the conclusion Of the north Pacific seal.
| ing convention entered into between
the United States, Great Britain, Japan
and Russia on the 7th of July last
| In special message transmitted to
| the congress on the 7th Of January
| 1911, in which 1 concurred in the rec.
concentrations made by the secretary
of state in regard to certain needful
! legislation for the control of our in.
terstate and foreign traffic in opium
and other menacing drugs. -
recommended that the manufacture
sale and use of opium in the United
trolled by legislation.
Prior to that time and in continue
ton Of the policy of this government
to secure the cooperation of the in
terested nations the United States
proposed an international opium con
ference with full powers for the pur
pose of clothing with the force of in
ternational law the resolutions adopt
ed by the above mentioned commits
sion, together with their essential cor
ollaries. The other powers concerned
cordially responded to the proposal o.
this government, and. l am glad to b,
able to announce, representatives O.
all the powers assembled in conference,
at The Hague on the first of thi.
month. 4" 1t seems to me most es
sential that the congress should taxi
immediate action on the anti-narcoti,
legislation to which / have airead.
called attention by a special message
The four important conventions sign
ed at the fourth pan-American confer
s.ce at Baenos Aires. providing for tn
regulation Of trademarks, patents an,
copyrights and for the arbitration O
pecuniary claims, have. with the ad
vice and consent Of the senate. bee
ratified on the part of the Unite
States, and the notifications have bee
deposited with the government of tn
Argentine Republic in accordance wit
the requirements of the convention!
am not advised that similar actio
has been taken by any other of tn
signatory governments
FOREIGN TRADE RELATIONS.
In my last annual message 2 refer
red to the tariff negotiations Of the d.
partment of state with foreign corT