The Bismarck tribune., 1931-12-10

and Paraguay with view to further
ing q settlement of their difficulties.
This offer was accepted in principle.
I am happy to state representatives Of
both countries are now meeting in
Washington with the hope OF conclud-
ing pact of nonaggression between
them.
It has been the privilege Of this
government to lend it's good offices
on several occasions in the past to
the settlement Of boundary disputes
between the American republics. One
of the most recent occasions upon
which the disinterested services of this
government were requested was In
connection with the settlement of the
dispute which for almost a century
has been outstanding between the Re-
publics of Guatemala and Honduras
With respect to their common ho0n-
dary.
Conferences were held in 1880
and July 16, 1880, a treaty was sign
ed submitting the question to ar
bitration. The arbitral tribunal will
meet in Washington December Is,
1881.
Claims in Mexico
The period for hearings before the
general and special claims commits
sion between this country and Mex
leo expired in August, 1881. The
American Ambassador at Mexico
City is carrying on negotiations with
the Mexican government looking to
the renewal Of the activities of the
commissions, in order that the claims
of American citizens still pending
may be heard and adjudicated.
"The governments of the United
States and Mexico have approved in
principle certain engineering plans
submitted by the international
Boundary Commission for the recti-
fication of the Rio Grande in the vic
Unity of Ell Paso, Tex, to prevent
periodical floods in that region.
"Negotiations are being carried
on between the two governments in
an effort to reach an agreement by
which this important international
project may be undertaken.
"There have been transmitted to
the senate, from time to time, treat.
les and conventions which have fail.
ed during recent sessions to obtain
that body's consideration or final
decision.
Wants Senate Action
"Inasmuch as these treaties affect
numerous phases Of private and pub.
lie endeavor, I earnestly commend
their early conclusion to the atten.
tion of the congress.
"In the past session of the con.
gress / transmitted to the senate
protocols providing for adherence by
the United States to the permanent
court Of international justice.
Upon that occasion I expressed
my views fully not only of the wis.
dom of such action, but that the
safeguards against European en-
tanglements, stipulated for by tht
senate, have been in effect secured
and the interests Of the Unitet
States protected.
II need not repeat that for ove1
IL years every president and every
secretary of state has urged this &C.
tlOII 40 q uldCCI ldl W LIIt
pacific settlement of controversies
among nations and further assur'
ance against war.
"By consideration of legislation
during it's last session, the congress
informed itself thoroughly regard
ing the merits Of the copyright con
vention signed at Berlin on Novem
ber 13, 1908. l hope that necessar,
legislation will be enacted durinf
this congress which will make i
possible for further consideration t.
be given to the copyright conven
tion.
1.-THE Sockeye Salmon Fisheries
Treaty, entered into with Canada t.
afford protection to the industry
which was signed on May 26, 1890
! merits the attention of the senat,
during the present session.