The Portland daily press., 1882-02-02
Blaine's Project
For Conference of all American Powers

For Conference or all American Powers
The following is the text OF Secretary
Blaine's circular letter to the republics of Cen
trail and South America, inviting them to .
congress of the powers of the Western hemis-
phere on the I'D of next November:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Nov. 20, 1881.
Sr:-The attitude of the United States with
respect to the question Of general peace on the
American continent Is vel! known through IT'S
persistent efforts for years past to avert the
evils OF warfare, or, these efforts failing, 70
bring positive conflicts to an end through paci-
fc counsels or the advocacy OF impartial arbi-
tration This attitude has been consistently
maintained, and always with such fairness ~
to leave no room for imputing to our govern
ment any motive except the humane and dis
interested one of saving the kindred states OF
the American continent from the burdens OF
war The position of tire United States as the
leading power of the New World might well
give to its government claim to authoritative
utterance for the purpose OF quietinR disoord
among its neighbors with all OF whom the
most friendly relations exist; nevertheless, the
good offices of this government are not, and
have rot at any time been rendered with y
show OF dictalion or compulsion, but only rs
exhibiting the soicitous good will l'of common
friend. For some years past growing dlspo-
sition has been manifested by certain states OF
Central and South America to refer disputes
affecting grave questions OF international rela-
tionships and boundary to arbitration rather
than to the sword. 1t has been on several such
occasions q source of profound satisfaction 70
the governmental the United States to see that
this country is in a large measure looked TO BY
all the American Powers as their friend and
mediator. The just and impartial counsel OF
the President in such cases has never been
withheld, and his efforts have been rewarded
by the prevention of sanguinary strife or angry
contentious between people whom We regard
as brethren. The existence OF this growing
tendency conviuces the President that tho
time is ripe for proposal that shall enlist the
good will and active cooperation OF all the
states OF the Western hemisphere, both north
and south, in the interest of humanity aud for
the common veal of nations he conceives
that none OF the governments OF America can
be less alive than our own 70 the dangers and
horrors of state of war; and especially OF war
between kinsmen. He is sufe that none OF the
chiefs of governments on the continent can be
less sensitive than he is to the sacred duty OF
making every endesyor to do away with tho
chances of fraticidal strife, and he looks with
hopeful confidence to such active assistance
from them as will serve to show the br0adnos5
of our common humanity and strength OF tho
ties which bind us all together as great and
harmonious system oil American common
wealths. Impressed by these views the Presi-
dent extends to all the independent countries
of North and South America an earnest invita-
tion to participate in a general congress TO be
held in the city of Washington on the I'D Of
November, 1882, for the purpose of considering
and discussing the methods Of preventing war
between the nations of America. He desires
that the attention Of the congress shall bo
strictly confined to this one great object; that
its sole aim shall be to seek way OF p8rma-
nently averting the horrors OF cruel and bloody
contests between countries oftenest OF ons
blood and speech, or the even worse calamity
of internal commotion and lcivil strife; that 10
shall regard The burdensome and far-resching
consequences of such struggle, the lsgacies OF
exhausted finances, of oppressive debt, OF oner-
GUS taxation, of ruined cities, OF paralyzed in
dustry, of devastated fields, of ruthless con-
scriptions, of the slaughter Of men. OF the grief
of the widow and the orphan, OF embittered
resentments that long survive those who
provoked them and heavily affiict the genera
tions that come after; the President is espec-
tally desirous to have il understood. that In
putting forth this invitation the United States
Goes not assume the position OF couDselling or
attempting through the voice Of the congressto TO
counsel, and determine q solution OF existing
questions which may now divide any Oh the
countries, as such questions cannot properly
come before the congress. Its mission is high
er. 1t is to provide for the interests OF ali In
the future not TO settle the individual differ
ences of the present. For this reason espec-
tally the Pres dent has indicated . day Tor the
assembling of the congrefs 80 far in the future
as to leave good ground for the hope that by tho
time named the present situation on tbs South
that those engaged in the contest may take
peaceable part in the discussion and ISOLATION OF
the general question affecting, in an equal de-
gree, the well-being of all 1t seems also desirs-
bic to disclaim in advance any purpose on the
part of the United States to PREJUDICE the issues
to be presented to the congress. 1t is far from
the intent OF the government 70 appear before
the congress as in any sense the pressetor OF Its
neighbors or the predestined aad necessary ar
bitrator of their disputes The United States
will enter into the deliberations OF the congress
on the same footing as the other powers repre-
sented, and with loyal determination to ap-
proach any proposed solution, not merely In Its
own interest or with a viewto asserting its OWN
power, but as single member among them
coordinate and coequal states. SO far rs the
influence of this government may be potential
it will be exerted in.the direction OF c0nciiat-
ting whatever conflicting interests OF blood or
government or historical tradition may necces-
sarily come together in response to.ancall en-
bracing such vast and diverse elements. You
will present these views to the minister OF for
eign affairs of Costa Rica, enlargiug, IL need
be, in such terms as will readily occur to You
upon the great mission which It is within the
power of the proposed congress to accomplish
in the interest of humanity, and upon the firm
purpose of the United States to MAINTAIN po-
stion of the most absolute and impartial friend
ship toward ALL The United States, as well
as the other powers, will in like manner be re-
presented by two commissioners, 80 that equal
ity and impartiality will be amply secured In
the proceedings Of the congress. In delivering
the invitation, through the minister OF foreign
affairs, you will read this despatch TO him and
leave with him copy, intimating that an an
swer is desired by this government as promptly
as the just consideration OF 50 important pro-
position will permit.
am, sir, your obedient servant.
JAMES G.. BLAINE.
The second despatch about expenses says that
the government of the United States will un-
dertake to supply suitable hall for the meet
ings of the commission, and will at its own ex-
pense meet all the material requirements Of tho
congress, providing for reporting and interpre-
ting the proceedings and printing the result
and protocols in Spanish and English for the
use of all parties, and will also provide for the
secretaries and clerks copies in both languages
so that the invited countries will incur no ex-
pense except for the maintenance Of own
commissioners.