Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-19

business session yesterday. The committees
report, making recommendation of matters
to be brought before the Congress, shows
that subjects of great international import
ance are to be discussed.
WASHINGTON, November 18.-After
recess of over six weeks the delegates to the
International American Congress were
called together at II o'clock this morning
by Secretary Blaine, the presiding officer.
Mr.. Blaine sat at the head of long table,
arou nd which were seated nearly all of the
delegates to the conference, the Brazilian
delegates being the only notable absentees.
The first business in order was the read
ing of the minutes of the last meeting,
which was also the first, and this had to be
done in Spanish as we'll as in English. The
next was the perfection of the organization
which was begun at the first meeting by
the selection of presiding officer.
A CONFUSION OF TONGUES.
By authority conferred in a resolution
offered by Mr.. Henderson, the President ap-
pointed Messrs. Romero, of Mexico, Quln-
tana, of the Argentine Republic, and Cool
idge, Of the United States, committee to
receive and report upon the Gre
dentials of the delegates. Then Senior
Quintana moved the appointment of two
Secretaries. He wanted TWO, in order
that the English and Spanish-speaking
delegates might be equally represented. He
believed that every utterance should be
made IN both English and Spanish.
Some of the delegates feared that con-
fusion might result from the incumbency of
two secretaries, and after discussion the
proposition was allowed to go over until the
next session, the conference meanwhile
yielding to Senior Quintana's wishes to the
extent of selecting delegates-Dr. Guzman,
of Nicaragua, and DR.. Zegara, from Peru
to act temporarily as secretaries and until
some permanent provision be made.
THE COMMITTEES REPORT.
The gentlemen named Immediately took
their places beside the presiding officer, and
thereafter all motions and remarks were
duly translated, proceeding which natur-
ally consumed considerable time.
Delegate Cornelius Bliss next presented
the report Of the Committee on Committees.
This committee was composed of Messrs.
Bliss of the United States; Min, OF Uruguay;
Bolt Peraza, of Venezuela; Cruz, of Guate-
mala, and Zegara, of Peru. They were at
work yesterday, and as q result, made re-
following-named committees:
Tristan Executive Committee Of five men,
bers, to receive and record nominations of Vice
Presidents from the several delegations, to
designate the officer who shall preside in the
absence of the President, to superintend the
publication OF the protocols and reports of
the proceedings and to provide generally for
the conduct of business
Seconc-A Committee on Customs Union,
COmnOsn0 m
port basis for an American customs union.
and the advisability Of a division of the subject
into sections according to the geographical sit
uation of the countries represented in the con-
ference and the similarity of interests in
Volved.
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION.
Third, fourth and ffth-Three committees of
five members each to consider and report upon
the best means of extending and improving the
facilities for transportation and postal and
telegraphic communication between the several
countries represented that border on the At
lantic ocean, the Pacific ocean, and the Gulf of
Mexico and the Caribbean sea respectively,
Sixth-A committee Of five members to con-
slider and report on the subject of railway com
municatlon between the several countries rep
resented.
Seventh-A Committee on Customs Regula-
tions, composed of five members, to consider
and report upon the best method OF improving
and simplifying customs regulations in the sew
eral ports of the countries represented. This
to include: A-Formalities to he observed in
importation and expectation of merchandise;
B-Classifcation, examination and valuation
Of merchandise; C-Methods of imposing and
collecting fines and penalties for the violation |
of the customs and harbor regulations.
Eighth to sixteenth Observation-Disclosures on
uniformity of lighthouse, pilot and harbor |
dues; on weights and measures; on sanitary |
regulations in commerce; on protection of pat
ents, trade marks. etc.; on extradition; on |
monetary convention; on banking and extern |
sion OF credit facilities; on international law;
and on general welfare, and to propose plan
to arbitrate disagreements that may arise here
after among the nations represented.
No attempt was made to discuss this re-
port, but it was ordered to be printed and
laid aside for future consideration.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS CHOSEN.
Delegate Henderson sought to have per
order established that the conferences
should meet Tuesdays. Wednesdays and |
of each week at 1 o'clock, but |
there appeared to be some difficulty in reach |
ing an agreement, and the conference ad- i
journed until Wednesday without disposing
of the subject.
lam E. Curtis, Executive Officer of the con-
ference to look after everything connected |
with the external arrangements for the con-
ference. Captain John G. Bourke, o. 8. |
A., has been appointed Sergeant at Arms,
with Lieutenant Henry r. Lemly, q. S. |
A., as assistant, while Warner P. Sutton
has been placed in charge of publication of |
the proceedings of the conference.
Mr.. Curtis has appointed the following |
officers of the conference: |
Howe, disbursing officer; F. w.
P. Smith, attache in charge of headquarters;
b. c. Tanner, official stenographer.
Through the courtesy of the Mexican
Government the Congress has been supplied
with several Spanish stenographers, who re-
port the official proceedings of the Mexican
Congress.