Evening star., 1914-10-25

for protection and transportation of
American citizens stranded in European
war zones, and authorizing the Ameri-
can Red Cross Society to charter a ship
of foreign register and fly the Ameri-
can flag.
Appropriation of S1.OOO.OO0 for extra
expense of diplomatic and consular serv-
ice in taking over embassies, legations
and consular offices of warning nations
in Europe.
Before these unforeseen conditions
which demanded decisive action to cope
with the European situation Congress
had on its hands for most of the session
the threatening Mexican iimbroglio which
came to climax in the act of reprisal
by the government in the seizure of
Vera Cruz. Many times the. situation
was critical. and actual warfare with
Mexico was prevented only by the
course of the administration and the
cool heads in Congress in preventing
untoward oratorical outbreaks and un-
wise action. Legislation growing out Of
the Mexican controversy was limited to
the following:
Resolution expressing Congress- justi-
ffcation of employment by, the Presi-
dent of armed forces of the United
States to enforce demands for affronts
and indignities against this ma ation, and
disclaiming any hostility to the Mexi-
can people or any purpose to make war
on Mexico.
Appropriation of $500, 200 for trans
portation and care of interned Mexican
soldiers and military refugees, and
S500.000 for relief and transportation to
the United States of America citizens in
Mexico .
Local Improvement Laws.
+: Other. legislation placed upon the
Statute books included scores of local
INN 1ox
lating to land entries and the follow
ing:
General appropriations for govern
mately $1,000, 100000.
Appropriation of 10000, 900 for rivers
and harbors improvements at discretion
of War Department, passed as substi-
tute for s53.000,000 specific. appropria-
tion bill after prolonged filibuster.
Law granting public water supply to
city of San Francisco from Hetch
Hetchy valley in Yosemite National
Park.
Act prohibiting importation of opium.
except for medicinal purposes under
Treasury regulation, and placing pro-
hibition tax of 5000 a pound on opium
manufactured in the United States for
smoking purposes.
Act authorizing payment of money
orders at any money order Office in
country, although drawn on specified
office.
Appropriation of 100000 for treat
ment and eradication of hog cholera
and dourine.
Law limiting labor of women in the
District of Columbia to eight hours a
day.
Agricultural extension act providing
for cooperation between Department
of Agriculture and state agricultural
e..
lating to agriculture and home eco
nomics. and providing for an ultimate
annual appropriation of nearly S5.0O0,-
900
An act raising the American diplo-
matte agencies in Argentina and Chile
from legations to embassies.
A provision for election of United
States senators under laws governing
election of members of House of Rep
resentatives in states where legisla-
laws
Act providing agricultural entry of
phosphate, nitrate. potash and other
mineral lands.
Act providing income tax of 1 per
cent of the gross annual income .sof
railroad corporations in Alaska. ~
Law establishing the United States
coast guard apd consolidating the reve-
nue. cutter and life-saving services.
with increases in salary for employees.
sular service of the country.
Act providing for government leas-
ing of coal lands in Alaska and to
prevent monopolization OF natural re-
sources Of the territory. ~
Resolution creating commission to
consider the subject of national aid for
vocational education, to report not
later than June 1 next.
Foreign Relations. :.
Foreign relations Of the United States
absorbed much attention OF the Con-
gress, Irrespective of the wars in Mex
leo and Europe, aud formed the basis
for discussion by the President in his
annual message and in frequent con-
ferences with members Of the foreign
relations committee. This committee
lost its chairman early in the session
through the sudden death Of Senator
Augustus o. Bacon Of Georgia. Senator
William j. Stone of Missouri was
chosen to succeed him as head OF this
important committee, which was busy
throughout the session with the con-
sideration Of treaties and other foreign
affairs. General arbitration treaties
with twelve foreign nations, upon rec
ommendation of this committee. were
ratified by the Senate. as follows:
Great Britain, Japan, Italy. Spain.
Norway. Sweden, Portugal. Switzer-
land. Paraguay. Austria Hungary. the
Netherlands and Salvador.
Later in the session, and in the midst
of the European conflict, the Senate.
upon recommendation of the foreign
relations committee ratified new treat
les providing for peace commissions of
investigation in international disputes
not settled by ordinary diplomacy with
twenty three foreign nations. as fol-
lows:
Norway. the Netherlands. Portugal,
Switzerland, Denmark, Italy. Salvador,
Guatemala. Honduras, Nicaragua, Bo-
livia. Persia. Costa Rica, Venezuela,
Peru, Paraguay, Great Britain, France
and Spain. Similar treaties negotiated