The National tribune., 1889-10-03
THE GREAT AMERICAN CONGRESS.

THE GREAT AMERICAN CONGRESS-.
The Europeans are of last awakening to
the meaning of the great Pan-American
Congress, and are very much alarmed. They
have reason to be. IF the Congress accom-
plishes anything like what Secretary Blaine
and others who have been instrumental in
bringing it about hope from it, 1t will be of
incalcHlable benefit not only to this country,
but to each of the other 10 countries which
participate in it. It's intention is TO bring
into closest political and commercial rela-
tions all the Nations Of North, Central and
South America, prevent any future wars
between them, establish uniform trade regu-
lations, agree upon coin which will be the
unit of value everywhere, and, in short. con-
vert the whole of the two continents into
one great commercial family which viii
have perpetual peace among themselves, and
interchange their various products freely.
1t is this last which alarms the Europeans.
They are frightened lest the great and grow
ing trade of the Central and South Ameri-
can States be diverted away from them, and
absorbed by this country. Spain leads off.
In spite of the wars which secured the indie
pendenec of Mexico and the countries to the
south, she has retained large portion OF
the trade on account of the language and
the affection which the Spanish
retain for a mother country of such glorious
traditions. The rupture between Brazil and
Portugal was less violent than between Spain
and her Colonies, and the relations are, there
fore, closer. Germany, which is hungry for
foreign markets for her rapidly-developine
manufactures, turns green with jealousy al
the thought of our occupying those impor-
tant fields to her exclusion. Her press is
shrieking denunciations against Secretary
Blaine and the Congress. The French and
Austrian papers are no less earnest. The
principal paper in Austria-the Vienna
/ 'S''''''f'''''t oAy - III ~ atNtht AS5hts
That the success of Bfr Blano's device would be
OF grave and dsaRreeablc consequences TO Europe
Is easily understood.
Europe ships a large part of ils manufactures tC
| South America. and our own Austrian producer,
we'll know the value OF their Brazilian and Argen
tine customers. who purchase their china, glass
| paper. fancy goods. shoes and other articles OK
ported To those countries If those exports SHOULD
be closed to us by tariff rates as high MS those o
| the United States, a large part of our workmcr
and still larger part Of German, French and Eng
lish lahoring would be in danger Of losing
| their employment
There is, therefore. every reason FOR rejecting
| seriously regarding this matter aud for not dis
missing Il as being too far removed. II would be
serious loss 20 Europe II the politicians Of Wash
| ington should succeed in uniting the whole Ameri
can continent, not in single free territory. but IL
territory surrounded by nsurmountablo custom
barriers.
America for Americans " Is the Monroe doc
;rinc. America for the North Americans +" Is ia,
doctrine of Blaine We cannot believe that th'
people Of Mexico. Brazil, tile La Platte aud othc
States will ever submit to this.
In spite of the protests-and probably
active intrigues-the Congress will convene
and its deliberations will be reasonably sue
cessiul. At all events, it will make q fai
beginning to much more intimate relations
with our Southern neighbors than hay,
heretofore existed. This is because the in
terests of all parties lie in the same direc
ton. They are our natural friends, allie
and customers, and it is 10 their advantage
az well as our own that our relations shoule
become much closer.