Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1912-12-04
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Continued from first page. }

negotiation adopted to modern ecOnOm-
ic conditions in order that we may at
all times be in a position TO gain not
only technically just but actually equit-
able treatment for our trade and also
for American enterprises and vested in
terests abroad.
Business Secured to Our Country by
Direct Official Effort.
AS illustrating the commercial bene-
fits to the nation derived from the new
diplomacy and its effectiveness upon
Die material as well as the more ideal
side, it may be remarked that through
direct official efforts alone there have
been obtained in the course of this
administration contracts from foreign
governments involving an expenditure
of $50,000000 in the factories Of the
United States.
1t is germane to these observations to
remark that in the two years that have
elapsed since the successful negotia-
ton Of our new treaty with Japan.
which at the time seemed to present so
many practical difficulties, our export
trade to that country has increased at
the rate Of over $1,OOO,OOO a month.
Our exports to Japan for the year end
ed June 80, 1910, were $21, 1853, $40,
while for the year ended June 30, 1912,
the exports were $53,47S,046, a net in
crease in the sale of American prod
ucts of nearly $50 per cent.
aI % L.
Of congress to give effect to the fur
seal convention Of July Z, 1911, between
Great Britain. Japan, Russia and the
United States provided for the sus-
pension of all land killing of seals on
the Pribilof islands for a period Of
five years, and an objection has now
been presented to this provision by the
other parties In interest. which raises
prohibition of land killing is inconsist-
ent with the spirit If not the letter of
the treaty stipulations. The justifica-
ton for establishing this close season
depends. under the terms of the con-
yention, upon how far IL at all it is
necessary for protecting and preserv-
ing the American fur seal herd and for
increasing its 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 OH 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. / and was formally rati-
fed by the two governments on Nov. 10
last.
Opium 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
ly 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 had previously called
attention by special message.
The congress at its present session
should enact into law those bills now
before IL 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
terests likely to be affected. Since the
international convention was signed
adherence to it 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 un-
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 disDatched To Turkish