Imperial Valley press., 1931-12-10


ton on November IA looking to the
| framing of treaty for the devel-
| opment of the st. Lawrence seaway
| The negotiations are continuing. !
am hopeful that an agreement may
result within a reasonable time en-
| abling us to begin work on this
great project, which will be of muck
Importance economically to Canada
| and to the United States.
Visits of NJ. Laval and Grandi
THE president of the council OF
ministers of France, M. Laval, visit
ed Washington in October in order
to discuss problems of outstanding
world interest, in the solution Of
which it was felt that the two
countries could be of assistance.
The informal and cordial converse
tions served to bring into relief the
respective positions of two nations.
THE visit in November of the
royal Italian minister for foreign
affairs also afforded an opportunity
! for a cordial exchange of views re-
.specting the many world problems
in which this government and the
government of Italy are interested
1T was not the purpose Of these
meetings to engage in any commit
ments or to conclude agreements.
However. the visits of M. Laval and
Signor Grandi, together with the
various meetings of statesmen IN
Europe and the visit of the secre-
tary of state to European countries
have brought about valuable under
standing of the nature of the prob
lens confronting different govern
ments which should aid in their
solution.
Nicaragua
I'm compliance with the agree
ment made in May, 1927, the Mica
raguan government requested super
vision by an electoral commission
from the United States of the con-
gressional elections held in 1890.
This year a member of the CON-
mission of 1923 and 1890 was sent
to Nicaragua as an observer during
the election of municipal authori-
ties in order that, on the basis of
his observations, it might be possible
to arrange the many necessary Ge-
tails of the supervision of the 1892
presidential election in Nicaragua.
Armed forces Of the United States
maintained In Nicaragua have been
reduced to the minimum deemed
necessary to the training of the
| Nicaraguan constabulary and the
rendering of appropriate support for
such instruction. 1t is proposed to
withdraw completely American
armed forces from Nicaragua after
their presidential election in 1882.
Nicaragua suffered a terrible dis
aster in the destruction Of Man
aqua, the capital, by earthquake and
fire in March last. With their
usual generosity the American peo-
pie. through the Red Cross, went
fundamentally to the assistance OF
the stricken country. United States
marines and engineers OF the wal
department, who were in the coun-
try making a survey OF the pro-
posed canal route, joined in render
ing service. The American legation
building was destroyed with all its
contents, but the minister and his
staff continued to carry on their Of
ficial duties and worked ceaSelesSly
In the face of unusual hardships
/ The Nicaraguan government has eX-
pressed its deep gratitude for the
aid rendered.
Haiti
Substantial progress has been
made in carrying out the program
for the withdrawal of our activities
in Haiti recommended by the COM
mission which, with the support OF
the congress, made an investigation
of Haitian affairs in 1880, and by
its good offices laid the foundation
for the present popularity elected
government of that republic.
After protracted negotiations an
accord was reached with the Haitian
government on August 5 providing
for the return to Haitian contro
of important government services
heretofore carried on under Amer
ican supervision by virtue Of gener'
al obligations arising through tbs
provision of our treaty with Haiti
In accordance with this agreement
the Haitian government on October
/ assumed definitely the admins
tration and control of the depart
ment of public works. the sanitary
service, and the technical service
of agriculture, which includes the
industrial education system. Al
American personnel was withdraw
/ from these services. To minimize
the possibility of epidemics, and il
order that the health of the Amer
ican troops and officials still sta
toned in Haiti might be Adequately
protected, the accord provided tina
an American scientific mission, con-
Sisting of three American naval of
ficers and six hospital corps men
should be charged with the contro
of sanitation in the cities Of Por
Au Prince and Cape Haitien. "ThI
accord makes appropriate provision
for the continuance of adequate
financial control and assistance OF
the part of our government. Th
liberty of action, both OF the gov
ernment of the United States ant
the government of Haiti with re
spect to questions of financial ad
ministration. is, of course, limited
In this connection it must be born
in mind that investors have sup
piled capital desired by Haiti ant
that securities have been issued t
them on the faith and credit of th
provisions of that treaty and tn
American financial control which
provided during the life of TIL
bonds.