The Washington critic., 1886-02-22
WASHINGTON, FEB. 9a, 1886.
AN INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS.


The proposition of Senator Frye for
Congress or commercial conference
Of American nations TO be held in
Washington next October, for the pur-
pose of considering the trade relations
of the countries Interested, embodics
The plan originally proposed in Con
gress by Representative Townshend of
Illinois, having in view the establish
ment of an American Customs
Union" Mr.. Townshend advocated
The project with much carncstncss and
ability, and early in the present session
reintroduced the proposition, which Is
now in the hands of the Foreign AZ.
fairs Committee with fair prospect
of being reported upon favorably. 1t
is matter which deserves to receive
careful consideration and Mr.. Towns.
hend Is to be congratulated upon hav-
ing secured so energetic an ally in the
Senate.
The work of bringing the United
States into closer political and COM
mercal relations with the Republics of
Central and South America, though
destined to ultimate achievement, will
necessarily and for obvious reasons be
slow process. II will be no light
task to dislodge the hold which power.
ful European nations already have
upon the Spanish. American States,
through their superior and more az.
gressive business policy, and large
monoyed interests in that quarter Of the
bemisphere; and II never can be done
without intelligent, prolonged and sys-
tematic effort on the part of the United
States. 1t will also require patient and
sagacious endeavor to reconcile old
prejudices and differing degrees of
civilization and bring our ncighbors
into friendly acquaintance with us.
But all is possible in time, and not
through war, with its costly hazards
and doubtful results, but through the
highest form Of enlightened diplomacy.
The proposed Congress may not
probably would not-accomplish all
that is expected of it, but it would be
one step and very important step
towards the end desired. 1t would lead
TO legislation of common advantage to
all the parties interested. 1t would
shed light upon situation concerning
which there is much popular misinfor-
nation. 1t would promote the chances
Of the contemplated Permanent Expo
sition at Washington, out of which
would flow continuing stream of
benefits. II would help to inaugurate
system of reciprocity without which
no latent community of interest can be
develored.
The National Republican, says that
"such scheme will find little favor
with an administration that has pro-
posed to surrender the Monroe doctrine
in relation to the question of 1sthmian
transit" but we cannot see that the
Administration has done or left undonC
anything pertaining to our Central
American connections which justiieS
such statement The Government
exhibited good deal of pluck and
sagacity during its late lsthmian cam
paign. 1t has even been charged with
a.lesire TO institute protectorate over
the five small Republics. The fact that
it kept out Of the Barrios squabble is
to its credit. That 1t does not look
upon the Panama Canal bugbear as q
terror TO the peace of the continent and
the stability of its institutions is still
further TO its credit. In short, it is en-
iirely safe to say that should Congress
pass bill embodying Mr.. Frye's ideas
of an American Congress, the Presi-
dent will promptly honor it with his
signature.