The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-04

naval station at Guantanamo into the province of oriente for the protection of Ameriean and other foreign life and property. The Cuban government was thus able to use all it's forces in put ting down the outbreak. which il sue ceeded in doing in a period of six weeks The presence of two American warships in the harbor of Habana dur ing the most critical period of this disturbance contributed in great meas ure to allay the fears of the inhae- itants, including a large foreign col ony.
 There has been under discussion with the government of Cuba for some time the question of the release by this government of it's leasehold rights at Bahia Honda, on the northern coast of Cuba, and the enlargement. in exchange therefor. of the naval station which has been established at Guantanamo bay, on the south. As the result of the negotiations thus carried on an agree ment has been reached between the two governments providing for the suitable enlargement of the Guantanamo bay station upon terms which are entirely fair and equitable to all parties con cerned
 At the request alike of the govern ment and both political parties in Panama. an American commission un- dertook supervision of the recent pres idential election in that republic. where our treaty relations, and, indeed. every geographical consideration, make the maintenance of order and satisfactory conditions of peculiar interest to the government of the United States. The elections passed without disorder and the new administration has entered Iupon lis functions
 The government of Great Britian has asked the support of the United states for the protection of the interests of British holders of the foreign bonded debt of Guatemala. While this gov ernment is hopeful of an arrangement equitable to the British hondholders, 1t is naturally unable to view the ques- ton apart from it's relation to the broad subject of financial stability in central America, in which the policy of the United States does not permit 1t to escape a vital interest. Through a renewal of negotiations between tho government of Guatemala and Ameri- can bankers, the aim of which Is loan for the rehabilitation of Guatema- Ian finances, a way appears to be open by which the government of Guate- mala could promptly satisfy any euuit- able and Just British claims, and at the same time so improve its whole financial position as to contribute greatly to the increased prosperity of the republic and to rebound to the ben- eft of foreign investments and foreign trade with that country. Failing such an arrangement, 1t may become inpos- sible for the government of the United States to escape it's obll lgations In con- nectlon with such measures as may become necessary to exact justice to legitlnate foreign claims.
 In tho recent revolution in Nicara- qua, which. 1t was generally admitted, might well have resulted In a general central American conflict but for tho intervention of the United States. the government of Honduras was especially menaced; but fortunately peaceful con ditions were maintained within the borders of that republic. The financial condition of that country remains un- changed. no means having been found for the final adjustment of pressing outstanding foreign claims. This makes tt the more regrettable that the finan- cial convention between the United States and Honduras has thus far failed of ratification. The government of the United States continues to hold itself ready to cooperate with the govern ment of Honduras. which, 1t is be- lieved, cannot much longer delay the meeting of it's foreign obligations and if is hoped that at the proper time American bankers will be willing to cooperate for this purpose.
 Government Aid Necessary
 It is not possible to make the con gross communication upon the pres ent foreign relations of the United States SO detailed 10 convey an ade- quate impression Of the enormous in- creases in the importance and activities Iat .t. { is really to preserve to the American people that free opportunity in foreign markets which will soon be indispensa- ble to our prosperity, even greater ef- forts must be made. Otherwise the American merchant. manufacturer and exporter vii find many field in which American trade should logically pre- dominate prompted through the more energetic efforts of other governments and other commercial nations.
 There are many ways In which through hearty cooperation the legls- lative md executive branches of this government can do much. The abso- lute essential is tho spirit of united effort and singleness of purpose. I will allude only to a very few specific cxamples of action which ought then to result America cannot take it's proper place in the most important fields for it's commercial activity and enterprise unless we have merchant ma rlne, American commerce and enter prise cannot be effectively fostered in those fields unless we have good Amer lean banks in the countries referred to. We need American newspapers In those countries and proper means for public information about them. We need to assure tho permanency of a trained for eian servee. Wo need legislation en- ablinR the members of the foreign ser vice to bo systematically brought in direct contact with inc industrial, manufacturing and exporting interests of this country in order that Ameri- can business men may enter the for- eign field with a clear perception of the exact conditions to be dealt with and tho officers themselves may prosecute their work with clear idea of what American industrial and manufacturing interests require.
 Conclusion
 Congress should fully realize the con ditions which obtain in the world as We find ourselves at the threshold of our middle age as nation. We have emerged fully grown as q peer in the great concourse of nations We have been self centered in the struggle to develop our domestic resources and deal with our domestic questions. The nation is now too mature to continue in it's foreign relations those tempor- ary expedients natural to people to whom domestic affairs are the sole con cern. In the past our diplomacy has often consisted, in normal times. in a mere assertion of the right to inter national existence. We are now in a iarpar relation with broader rights of