Candamo had given great impetus to the prosperity of Peru, and as regards ourselves, he was resolved to compose all differences in a liberal spirit and without delay. Perhaps if his death had not occurred our frontiers would be better respected than they are at present, for the prefect of Iquito is continually advancing over our eastern territory and obliging our frontier forces to remain constantly arm in hand. It is superfluous to mention that energetic protest has been made to the Peruvian Government and that the reply was, as usual, a demonstration of friendship, cordiality, and good understanding, coupled with a declaration that the said prefect had not received instructions from his Government to commit the acts complained of. This reply, apparently satisfactory, and the recent withdrawal of the atrabilious prefect, do not guarantee us, it is painful to admit, against the risks of future invasions which may easily lead to the dreaded international conflict, unless the Government of Peru, acting with honesty, will take effective means to prevent the frontier authorities from committing excesses in violation of rights which we consider ours. As will be perceived, our eastern territory needs careful attention, not only as regards the international question which I have just mentioned, but also regarding internal and purely national ones. The first necessity in this latter regard is the opening up of short and expeditious routes which will place us in communication with that region and tend to attract capitalists and manufacturers toward a territory promising such excellent remuneration for labor. With this object in view the minister of public instruction, to whose department this subject pertains, called a meeting of the most prominent persons of the capital in order to deliberate on the measures necessary in behalf of our national interests in the east; and it was resolved to open the road via Baños with the greatest diligence. Moreover, the idea was conceived of appealing to the patriotism of the citizens of Ecuador for the purpose of obtaining voluntary contributions for this work; as for myself, however, I am not in favor of this plan and hope that you will appropriate sufficient funds for the opening of the road in question. In Brazil, another of the countries contiguous to our own, we have a minister plenipotentiary, having designated for this purpose Dr. Carlos R. Tobar, who was received in Petropolis with marked demonstrations of friendship and enthusiasm by the Government and the illustrious Brazilian people. LEONIDAS PLAZA G. ETHIOPIA. TREATY BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE KING OF ETHIOPIA, TO REGULATE THE COMMERCIAL RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES. Signed at Addis-Ababa, December 27, 1903. King of Ethiopia notified of ratification, August 2, 1904. BY THE PRESIDENT OF The United STATES OF AMERICA. A PROCLAMATION. Whereas a treaty of commerce between the United States of America and His Majesty Menelik II, King of Kings of Ethiopia, was concluded on the twenty-seventh day of December one thousand nine hundred and three, the original of which treaty, being in the Amharic and French languages, is word for word as follows: (Translation.) TREATY OF COMMERCE. His Majesty Menelik II, King of Kings of Ethiopia, and the United States of America, having agreed to regulate the commercial relations between the two countries and develop them, and render them more and more advantageous to the two contracting Powers: His Majesty Menelik II, King of Kings of Ethiopia, in the name of the Empire, and Robert P. Skinner, in the name of the United States of America, have agreed and stipulated that which follows: ARTICLE I. The citizens of the two Powers, like the citizens of other countries, shall be able freely to travel and to transact business throughout the extent of the territories of the two contracting Powers, while respecting the usages and submitting themselves to the tribunals of the countries in which they may be located. ARTICLE II. In order to facilitate commercial relations, the two Governments shall assure, throughout the extent of their respective territories, the security of those engaged in business therein, and of their property. ARTICLE III. The two contracting Governments shall reciprocally grant to all citizens of the United States of America and to the citizens of Ethiopia, all the advantages which they shall accord to other Powers in respect to customs duties, imposts and jurisdiction. ARTICLE IV. Throughout the extent of the Ethiopian Empire, the citizens of the United States of America shall have the use of the telegraphs, posts and all other means of transportation upon the same terms as the citizens of other Powers. ARTICLE V. In order to perpetuate and strengthen the friendly relations which exist between Ethiopia and the United States of America, the two Governments agree to receive reciprocally, representatives acceptable to the two Governments. These representatives shall not however, be maintained at their posts, unless they are agreeable to the receiving Power, in such cases, they shall be replaced. ARTICLE VI. The duration of the present treaty shall be ten years. It is understood that at the expiration of these ten years the two Governments shall be able to modify all or any part of this treaty. The Government which shall request at that time the modification, shall make its proposal to the other Government one year before the expiration of the treaty. ARTICLE VII. The present treaty shall take effect if ratified by the Government of the United States, and if this ratification shall be notified to His Majesty Menelik II, King of Kings of Ethiopia, within the period of one year. His Majesty Menelik II, King of Kings of Ethiopia, in the name of his Empire; Robert P. Skinner in virtue of his full powers, in the name of the United States of America, have signed the present treaty, written in double text, Amharic and French, and in identical terms. Done at Addis-Ababa, this seventeenth day of December, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-six in the year of grace (corresponding to December twenty-seventh, 1903). [Seal of MENELIK II.] And whereas it is provided by the said treaty that it shall take effect" if ratified by the Government of the United States of America and if this ratification shall be notified to His Majesty King Menelik II, King of Kings of Ethiopia, within the period of one year "; And whereas the said treaty has been duly ratified on the part of the United States of America and notification of such ratification was given to His Majesty Menelik II, King of Kings of Ethiopia, on the second day of August, one thousand nine hundred and four; Now, therefore, be it known that I, Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States of America, have caused the said treaty to be made public, to the end that the same and every article and clause thereof may be observed and fulfilled with good faith by the United States and citizens thereof. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States of America to be affixed. Done at the City of Washington, this thirtieth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and twenty-ninth. [SEAL] By the President: FRANCIS B. LOOMIS. THEODORE ROOSEVELT Acting Secretary of State. FRANCE. NEUTRALITY OF CHINA IN THE WAR BETWEEN RUSSIA AND JAPAN. Mr. Hay to Mr. Porter. "Telegram.-Paraphrase.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, February 8, 1904. (Mr. Hay instructs Mr. Porter to consult the minister for foreign affairs in regard to the possibility and desirability of neutral powers concurrently using good offices with Russia and Japan (in case a state of war should unfortunately be created), to induce them to respect the neutrality of China and in all practicable ways her administrative entity, to localize and limit as much as possible the area of hostilities, so that undue excitement and disturbance of the Chinese people may be prevented and the least possible loss to the commerce and the peaceful intercourse of the world may be occasioned. If this proposition is acceptable, suggest that instructions be sent to the French representatives at St. Petersburg, Tokyo, and Peking. All the signatories of the protocol of Peking will then be consulted.) Mr. Porter to Mr. Hay. No. 1295.] AMERICAN EMBASSY, Paris, February 12, 1904. SIR: Upon receiving your cable of February 8, suggesting that the powers take concurrent action in an effort to insure the neutrality of China, etc., I went to see Mr. Delcassé the same day to place the matter before him. He received it in the best spirit and I am sure he feels that our Government in taking this step is actuated by a friendly desire to limit the evils threatened by a state of war. He discussed the subject for some time. A little anxiety was expressed to know the exact significance of the phrase "Administrative entity," but as this and the phrase "Entité administrative" in French are identical, I think no doubt can remain in his mind as to the scope of the meaning. * * * The issuing of the circular has certainly been very timely and is directly in the interest of all the powers. It has again brought the practical diplomacy of America to the front and given it very great prominence. Mr. Delcassé himself takes the common-sense view of your circular, and while he does not yet express any decided opinion he will explain its provisions to his colleagues of the cabinet, and after they consider the subject I hope we may before long receive a satisfactory reply. I have, etc., HORACE PORTER. |