SPEECH FROM THE THRONE AT THE OPENING OF THE SESSION OF THE STATES-GENERAL. File No. 1359/5-6. No. 308.] Minister Hill to the Secretary of State. AMERICAN LEGATION, The Hague, September 19, 1907. SIR: I have the honor to state that the ordinary session of the States-General of the Netherlands was opened by Her Majesty the Queen, accompanied by His Royal Highness the Prince of the Netherlands, on the 17th instant, their Majesties being attended by a full suite and an escort of cavalry. An alteration in the route was made by the stately procession this year; the widened street, Heulstreet, and the heightened track through the avenue of lindens being adopted for the first time in this annual ceremony. The route was lined by an exceptionally large and enthusiastic crowd, who accorded their sovereign a hearty greeting the whole length of the route. In deference to the demands of the Second Peace Conference, which holds its sessions in the Knights Hall, the United Chambers assembled in the second chamber of the States-General. In addition to Senators and Representatives, the Cabinet Ministers were in attendance, as also, in their respective lodges, the high officers of Government, the diplomatic corps, and also the first delegates of the Second Peace Conference. I inclose herewith a copy of the speech from the Throne, in duplicate, together with translation. It will be observed that in the commencement of her speech the Queen refers to the Second Peace Conference and gives expression to her interest in its proceedings. The speech then goes on to speak of the friendly relations existing with all the foreign powers; the general prosperous condition of the country and the colonies, the one baneful fact being the outbreak of the foot-and-mouth disease among cattle; the growth of commerce; the devotion exhibited by the navy and army and civil officers in the country's interests; the measures which will be submitted for debate, and, in invoking God's blessings on the deliberations of the Parliament, Her Majesty declares the session to be opened. Among the measures to be introduced or revised the following are mentioned: Modification of the Commercial Code; the law relating to minors; the institution of a Government disinfecting service; improvement in the coast defenses and the militia law; commencement of the recovery of the Zuider Zee; removal of obstacles in the river Waal; employees' insurance; prevention of the pollution of waters; improved veterinary supervision, and strengthening of Netherlands Government authority, national and financial interests in the East Indies, and in Surinam and Curaçao. The ceremony, from the time that Their Majesties started from the palace until their return, took one hour, while the lining up of the $5111-FR 1907-VOL 2-21 soldiers who set off the track followed their withdrawal to the barracks, and the throng of people gave to the city a festive appearance the whole day through. DAVID J. HILL. I have, etc., [Inclosure-Translation.] GENTLEMEN: I appreciate the fact that I am able once more to open your sessions in person. On this occasion your united assembly is not held in the Knights Hall, but in this place, in order to avoid an interruption of the proceedings of the Second Peace Conference. I follow the weighty task of that conference with undivided interest, and entertain the best of wishes for its success. In many respects the general condition of the country and of the colonies affords every reason for grateful contentment. Our relations with foreign powers continue to show this year again most friendly relationship. Notwithstanding the cool summer the agricultural results are generally good; in the most important horticultural districts the yield is better than it has been for years past. The prospects in the cattle trade are not so favorable on account of the outbreak of the foot-and-mouth disease. There has been a period of great activity in most branches of industry and commerce. Navigation in the harbors of the Netherlands continues to grow. With exception of general freight trade the shipping results are satisfactory. The organization of the inland credit system in Java is beginning to indicate its beneficial effect on the economical stability of the people. The navy and army both at home and in the colonies have carried out their duties with zeal and devotion. In regard to the civil-service officers the same testimony can be given. Proposals respecting alterations in Chapters III and IV of the constitution will shortly be laid before you. The proposed revison of the maritime law is so far advanced that a bill looking to the modification of the greater part of the second volume of the Commercial Code and of the provisions in connection therewith in other legal works may soon be expected. Moreover a proposition having in view the alteration of that part of the law relating to minors and civil rights, as also a motion for the revision of the law regarding judiciary organizations, which will give rise to the speedy determination of certain proposals connected with the proposed administrative decisions question which is pending. Your aid will be invited toward the institution of a government disinfecting service. Plans for better defense of the coast will be introduced. A bill for the further revision of the militia law and the supplementing and revision of some of the provisions of the land defense law are in preparation. A scheme for the commencement of a portion of the inclosure of the Zuyder Zee and the recovery of the Wieringa Meer will at no distant date be submitted to you. Plans regarding the carrying out of works looking to the removal of the obstacles which navigation on the Waal experiences at low water are being considered. The promised bills regarding the employees' insurance and the prevention of mishaps at sea will reach you shortly; the other announced measures relating to social legislature are far advanced. A revision of the preventive law has been drawn up, tending among other matters toward the rendering of that law effective in combating the pollution of water and to improve the supervision of the execution of the law. Bills having in view the introduction of a general examination of butcher's meat and the realization of certain revisions of the law relating to the government veterinary service and the veterinary police regulations will be laid before you. Serious efforts are being made to strengthen the authority of the Netherlands in different parts of the East Indies archipelago in the interest of the people residing in those districts. Bills have been undertaken for the purpose of giving extension to the traffic along the coast of the Netherlands Indies and toward establishing the indication of Netherlands citizenship of such persons as are native to the Netherlands Indies. Within a short time proposals will be submitted to your judgment regulating the method of control and responsibility regarding financial matters of the colonies of Surinam and Curacoa. May your arduous task, under God's blessing, tend to the prosperity of the nation. I hereby declare the ordinary session of the States-General to be opened. SECOND PEACE CONFERENCE AT THE HAGUE. See p. 1099. NICARAGUA, COSTA RICA, AND SALVADOR. TREATY BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND NICARAGUA FOR THE EXTRADITION OF CRIMINALS. Signed at Washington March 1, 1905. Ratification advised by the Senate March 16, 1905. Ratified by the President June 11, 1907. Ratified by Nicaragua April 26, 1907. Ratifications exchanged at Washington June 14, 1907. BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. A PROCLAMATION. Whereas a Convention between the United States of America and Nicaragua providing for the mutual extradition of fugitives from justice was concluded and signed by their respective plenipotentiaries at Washington, on the first day of March, one thousand nine hundred and five, the original of which Convention, being in the English and Spanish languages, is word for word as follows: a The United States of America and the Republic of Nicaragua, being desirous to confirm their friendly relations and to promote the cause of justice, have resolved to conclude a treaty for the extradition of fugitives from justice between the United States of America and the Republic of Nicaragua, and have appointed for that purpose the following Plenipotentiaries: The President of the United States of America, John Hay, Secretary of State of the United States; and The President of Nicaragua, Señor Don Luis F. Corea, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Nicaragua to the United States; Who, after having communicated to each other their respective full powers, found in good and due form, have agreed upon and concluded the following articles: ARTICLE I. The Government of the United States and the Government of Nicaragua mutually agree to deliver up persons who, having been charged, as principals or accessories, with or convicted of any of the crimes and offenses specified in the following article committed within the jurisdiction of one of the contracting parties, shall seek an asylum or be a Spanish text not printed. found within the territories of the other: Provided, that this shall only be done upon such evidence of criminality as, according to the laws of the place where the fugitive or person so charged shall be found, would justify his or her apprehension and commitment for trial if the crime had been there committed. ARTICLE II. Persons shall be delivered up, according to the provisions of this convention, who shall have been charged with, or convicted of, any of the following crimes or offenses: 1. Murder, comprehending the crimes known as parricide, assassination, poisoning, and infanticide; assault with intent to commit murder; manslaughter, when voluntary. 2. Mayhem and other wilful mutilation causing disability or death. 3. The malicious and unlawful destruction or attempted destruction of railways, trains, bridges, vehicles, vessels, and other means of travel, or of public edifices and private dwellings, when the act committed shall endanger human life. 4. Rape. 5. Bigamy. 6. Arson. 7. Crimes committed at sea: (a) Piracy, by statute or by the law of nations. (b) Wrongfully sinking or destroying a vessel at sea, or attempting to do so. (c) Revolt, or conspiracy to revolt, by two or more persons on board a ship on the high seas against the authority of the master. (d) Assaults on board a ship on the high seas with intent to do grievous bodily harm. 8. Burglary, defined to be the act of breaking and entering into the house of another in the nighttime, with intent to commit a felony therein. 9. The act of breaking into and entering public offices, or the offices of banks, banking houses, savings banks, trust companies, or insurance companies, with intent to commit theft therein, and also the thefts resulting from such acts. 10. Robbery, defined to be the felonious and forcible taking from the person of another of goods or money, by violence or by putting the person in fear. 11. Forgery, or the utterance of forged papers. 12. The forgery, or falsification of the official acts of the Government or public authority, including courts of justice, or the utterance or fraudulent use of any of the same. 13. The fabrication of counterfeit money, whether coin or paper, counterfeit titles or coupons of public debt, bank notes, or other instruments of public credit; of counterfeit seals, stamps, dies, and marks of State or public administration, and the utterance, circulation, or fraudulent use of any of the above-mentioned objects. 14. The introduction of instruments for the fabrication of counterfeit coin or bank notes or other paper current as money. 15. Embezzlement or criminal malversation of public funds committed within the jurisdiction of either party by public officers or |