Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1912-12-05

peuSlOA VI all iduA killing UI SedlS Oh
the Pribllof islands for period of
five years, and an objection has now
been presented to this provision by tine
other parties In interest, which raises
the issue as to whether or not this
prohibition of land killing is inconsist-
the treaty stipulations. The justifica-
ton for establishing this close season
depends, under the terms of the CON
vention, upon how far If at all it Is
necessary for protecting and preserv-
ing the American fur seal herd and for
increasing It's number This is a ques-
ton requiring examination of the pres
! ent condition of the herd and the treat
ment which it needs In the light Of
actual experience and scientific inves-
| tigation.
Final Settlement of North Atlantic
Fisheries Dispute.
On the goth of July last an agree
ment was concluded between the Unit
ed States and Great Britain adopting
with certain notifications, the rules
| and method of procedure recommend
ed In the award rendered by the North
| Atlantic coast fisheries arbitration tri-
| bunal on Sept. 7, 1910, for the settle
ment hereafter, In accordance with
| the principles laid down in the award,
| of questions arising with reference to
| the exercise Of the American fishing
| liberties under Article ! Of the treaty
of Oct. 20. 1918, between the United
| States and Great Britain. This agree
ment received the approval of the SEN
ate on Aug. l and was formally rati-
| fed by the two governments on Nov. Is
| last.
| Opium Conference-Unfortuna Fail
ure of Our Government.
| In my message on foreign relations
| communicated to the two houses Of
congress Dec. Z. 1911. called special
attention to the assembling of the
| opium conference at The Hague. to the
| fact that that conference was to review
| all pertinent municipal laws relating to
| the opium and allied evils and certain
| y all international rules regarding these
evils, and to the fact that 1t seemed to
me most essential that the congress
| should take immediate action on the
| anti-narcotic legislation before the con-
gress. to which l had previously called
! attention by a special message.
The congress at its present session
should enact into law those bills now
before it which have been so carefully
| drawn up In collaboration between the
department of state and the other ex-
ecutive departments. and which have
behind them not only the moral senti-
ment Of the country, but the practical
support of all the legitimate trade in
international convention was signed
adherence to 1t has been made by sew
eral European states not represented
at the conference of The Hague and
also by seventeen Latin American re-
publics.
Europe and the Near East.
The war between Italy and Turkey
came to a close In October last by the
signature of treaty of peace, subse-
Quently to which the Ottoman empire
renowned sovereignty over Cyrenaica
and Tripolitania in favor Of Italy Dur
ing the past year the near east has I'M
fortunately been the theater of con
slant hostilities. Almost Simultaneous
ly with the conclusion of peace be-
tween Italy and Turkey and their ar
rival at an adjustment Of the complex
questions at issue between them, war
broke out between Turkey on the one
hand and Bulgaria, Greece, Montene-
gro and Servia on the other.
In the exercise Of my duty in the
matter have dispatched to Turkish
waters special service squadron, con-
sisting of two armored cruisers, in or
der that this government may If need
be bear its part In such measures as 1t
may be necessary for the interested ma
lions to adopt for the safeguarding of
foreign lives and property in the Otto
man empire In the event that danger,
GUS situation should develop.
Liberia.
AS result Of the efforts of this gov
eminent to place the government of
Liberia in position to pay its outstand-
ing Indebtedness and to maintain a
stable and efficient government, nego-
tiations for loan of $1,7OOOO0 have
been successfully concluded, and it is
anticipated that the payment Of the
old loan and the issuance of the bonds
Of the 1912 loan for the rehabilitation of
the finances Of Liberia will follow at
an early date, when the new receiver
ship will so into active operation. The
new receivership will consist of gen
eral receiver Of customs designated by
the government of the United States
and three receivers Of customs desig-
mated by the governments of Germany,
France and Great Britain, which coun-
tries have commercial interests in the
republic of Liberia.
The Far East.
The political disturbances In China
In the autumn and winter of 1912
resulted in the abdication Of the Man
chu rulers on Feb. IL, followed by the
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