The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-03-06
Proposed Conference Of North and son'n
America in WnslrinA ton.

/. f~&tN
Proposed Conference Of North and South
America in WuslIinA'ton.
We publish to-day highly im. oortant docu-
ment which we have received fro m Washing
ton in the shape Of circular letter, addressed
In December last, by the Secretary OF State 10
the South American republics involved In the
present war with Spain. 1t proposes that q
conference of representatives from Spain, Peru
Chile, Bolivia and Ecuador shall be held a.
Washington on the LIST of April next, to treat OF
all matters in difference between the bellig-
erent parties, and to agree, if possible, upon
posed that the President of the United States
shall appoint person to attend and preside at
this conference and use his good Offices, infor-
nation and advice in facilitating its objects,
without exercising the power to vote upon any
questions brought up or assuming any obi
cation on the part Of the United States. Should
any questions be referred to the President Of
the United States arising out of disagreement
on the part of the Plenipotentiaries the Presi-
dent Is to have the power of selecting as
an Jump ire "some State or sovereign, not
the United States nor any State among
the belligerents" to decide, and that decision
shall be binding upon all parties participating
In the conference. II is provided further that
if this proposition is accepted by the parties
interested an armistice between the Powers
now at war in South America until the termi-
nation of the conference shall be declared by
I'll AN ~ tsor 10
Washington.
This circular letter of Mr.. Seward, issued
under instructions from the President, was
ratified by resolution of the House of Repre-
sentatives on the 18th Of December last. The
proposal to mediate between the South Ameri-
can republics and Spain may be regarded as
nothing more than revival of the proposition
made by our government in the time of John
Quincy Adams Presidency, in 1926, when
conference of the South American States to be
held at Panama, was suggested and was
strongly urged by Henry Clay for similar pur-
poses-namely, the peaceful solution Of ques-
tons then distracting the South American
States, which were then, as now, at war with
Spain, with the additional idea, as it was ex-
pressed at that time, "to complete the indie
pendence Of the New World by expelling the
foreign forces that still occupy certain points,"
and SO forth. Here was the Monroe doctrine
practically proposed for adoption in this con-
ception of rejecting European interference in
all and every portion Of the American conti-
nent. But perhaps we owe the origin of the
Monroe doctrine more directly to the English
Cabinet Minister, George Canning. than to any
other source; for in his hostility to the schemes
of the Holy Alliance, as far as they regarded
the then existing relations between Spain and
the South American States, the doctrine Of
on the American continent
was substantially, for the 6rst time, promul-
gated, and took shape which we have since
improved upon. It was q purely COM
mercial measure at that time, because
the main object of the English gov
eminent was to reserve to itself the
privileges of trading with the rich countries
Of South America and absorbing the wealth
Of the mines of Peru and Mexico, after which
Spain was then thirsting. We have since
made it political measure, in theory, II not
In practice.
The proposed Panama conference of 1925,
however, broke down. 1t was opposed by
factious opposition, led by Mr.. Calhoun and
Mr.. Crawford and others, who arrayed them
selves against Clay, then the expectant candi-
date for the next Presidency. Mr.. Seward, 1t
appears, has now renewed the proposition Of
q South American conference to meet at WASH
ington, which may be regarded az holy alli-
ance against the Interference Of Spain in the
affairs of this continent II the proposal
should be accepted by the Southern republics,
as it probably may be, for they have only the
matter before them for consideration since De-
cember, still Spain may reject 1t, in which
event she must be considered outside the pale,
as obstinatcly refusing the friendly mediation
Of this government in her difficulty with the
South American States, and her refusal may
eventuate ultimately in her expulsion from
Cuba as well as her discontinue in Chile and
and Peru. This proposition from our govern
ment to the belligerents in South America
must be regarded as highly important move
ment; for 1t may not only affect the claims
and ambition OF Spain in South America, but
exercise considerable influence upon other
schemes, such, for example, rs the establish
ment of an empire TO the south of this repub-
lie, in Mexico, and the proposed kingdom to the
north Of us in Canada. This whole question
Of foreign interference may be opened up by
the proposed conference in Washington, may
be thoroughly ventilated and end in winding
up all the schemes which conflict with the
Monroe doctrine. A general packing up of
bag and baggage, assumed crowns, sccptres,
and titles may possibly result from it both in
Mexico and Canada.
Bnrnnm's Triumphni Procession.
If Connecticut sets the same estimate on the
value Of her son, the Snowman Barnum, which