February 25, 1929. is the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the capture of Fort Sackville, at Vincennes, in the State of Indiana.  This eventually brought into the Union what was known as the Northwest Territory, embracing the region north of the Ohio River between the Alleghenies and the Mississippi River.  This expedition was led by George Rogers Clark.  His heroic character and the importance of his victory are too little known and understood.  They gave us not only this Northwest Territory but by means of that the prospect of reaching the Pacific.  The State of Indiana is proposing to dedicate the site of Fort Sackville as a national shrine.  The Federal Government may well make some provision for the erection under its own management of a fitting memorial at that point.

FOREIGN RELATIONS

It is the policy of the United States to promote peace.  We are a peaceful people and committed to the settling of disputes by amicable adjustment rather than by force.  We have believed that peace can best be secured by a faithful observance on our part of the principles of international law, accompanied by patience and conciliation, and requiring of others a like treatment for ourselves.  We have lately had some difference with Mexico relative to the injuries inflicted upon our nationals and their property within that country.  A firm adherence to our rights and a scrupulous respect for the sovereignty of Mexico, both in accordance with the law of nations, coupled with patience and forbearance, it is hoped will resolve all our differences without interfering with the friendly relationship between the two Governments.

We have been compelled to send naval and marine forces to China to protect the lives and property of our citizens.  Fortunately their simple presence there has been sufficient to prevent any material loss of life.  But there has been considerable loss of property.  That unhappy country is torn by factions and revolutions which bid fair to last for an indefinite period.  Meanwhile we are protecting our citizens and stand ready to cooperate with any government which may emerge in promoting the welfare of the people of China.  They have always had our friendship, and they should especially merit our consideration in these days of their distraction and distress.

We were confronted by similar condition on a small scale in Nicaragua.  Our marine and naval forces protected our citizens and their property and prevented a heavy sacrifice of life and the destruction of that country by a reversion to a state of revolution.  Henry L. Stimson, former Secretary of War, was sent there to cooperate with our diplomatic and military officers in effecting a settlement between the contending parties.  This was done on the assurance that we would cooperate in restoring a state of peace where our rights would be protected by giving our assistance in the conduct of the next presidential election, which occurs in a few months.  With this assurance the population returned to their peacetime pursuits, with the exception of some small roving bands of outlaws.