Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-03


FIVE years, and an objection has now
been presented to this provision by the
other parties in interest. which raises
the issue as to whether or not this
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-
vention, upon how far If 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
bunal on Sept. Z, 1910. for the settle
ment hereafter, III accordance with
the principles laid down in the award.
Of questions arising with reference to
the exercise of the American fishing
Ill - under Article OF the treaty
of Oct. 20, 1918, between the United
States and Great Britain. This agree
-, -ol ,f 10
ate on Aug. l and was formally ratl-
fed by the two governments on Nov. Is
last.
Opium Fail
Ure of Our Government.
In my message on foreign relations
communicated to the two houses of
congress Dec. Z. 1911. 1 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 it seemed to
me most essential that the congress
should take immediate action on the
1 anti-narcotic legislation before the con
gress, to which | 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
: In hn
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 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 q close in October last by the
signature of treaty of peace, subse
QuentIy to which the Ottoman empire
renowned sovereignty over Cyrenaica
and T1politania in favor of Italy. Dur
ing the past year the near east has un
|
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, wal
broke out between Turkey on the one
hand and Bulgaria, Greece Montene
gro and Servia on the other
nf INF In fbr
matter l have dispatched to Turkish
waters a special service squadron, con
siSting Of two armored cruisers, in or
der that this government may If neeG
be bear it's part in such measures as II
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 a danger
GUS situation should develop.
Liberia.
AS a 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 {
stable and efficient government, nego
tiations for a loan of $1,70O00O have
been successfully concluded, and it 1.
anticipated that the payment of tn,
old loan and the issuance of the bonds
of the 1912 loan for the rehabilitation o
the finances of Liberia will follow a
an early date, when the new receiver
ship will go into active operation. Tn,
new receivership will consist Of gen
eral receiver of customs designated b!
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 thu
republic Of Liberia.
The Far East.
The political disturbances In Chin;
! in the autumn and winter of 1911-1:
resulted in the abdication of the Man
! chu rulers on Feb. IL. followed by tn,
. formation of a provisional republican
; government empowered to conduct tn
| affairs of the nation until a permanen
government might be regularly estah
. lished The natural sympathy Of tn,
American people with the assumption
} of republican principles by the Chimes
people was appropriately expressed II
a concurrent resolution Of congress OF
April II. 1912
} A constituent assembly. composed o