Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-09-21
THREE AMERICAS CONGRESS.
The Peace and Prosperity Of the West
ern Hemisphere.

II
| ern Hemisphere.
| BENEFTTs OF coMMRRoR wIrH THE NRIaHBoRrNo
RKPUBLIcs-ExPRoTKD RESULTS OF THE CON-
DRESS IN CONGRATULATIONS ACCEPTED
SOMETHING ABOUT THE AMERICAN DELEGATES.
II may be that the only immediate result Of
| the meeting OF the congress Of American
| nations will be the making of each others ac-
| quainsancs. The small boys always make &C.
| quaintance before they trade jack-knives sun
| sight unseen" and in this small boys are
philosophers.
The congress meets in Washington on the
I'd OF October. Representatives will be here
from all, or at least most Of. the South Amsri-
| can republics. They will meet here with the
| American delegates and discuss various mat
tiers affecting the peace and prosperity of the
entire western hemisphere. Whatever the
apparent results OF the convention are it can
not but result to the benefit Of the whole
| American people.
COMMERCE WITH THE SOUTH.
Some OF our wisest statesmen look southwark
! Tor the solution of the economical question
which has brought about so much discussion in
Congress for the past several sessions. A COM
meree with the South American republics, ac-
tive and reciprocal, will give to this country q
| market that Is needed for its vast manufac-
tories and will aid in the advancement of all
| the lesser republics of the south We have
| never enjoyed the relations that should have
existed between them and our South American
nelghbors. though the extension of our trade
| IN that direction has occupied the thoughts OF
American statesmen almost from the beginning
OF our prosperity as nation. The idea of an
| American international congress Is not a new
one, though the scheme has never before been
pressed to successful issue. In 1926 the mat
ter received considerable attention from the
United States Congress. but after the agitation
| of that time (not yet ripe for such move) the
| idea of extending trade in that direction did
| not receive any attention until recently. Ten
| or twelve years ago the extension of railroads
| in Mexico turned attention more in this direc-
| tlon. Since then has grown up the sentiment
| which promises success to the present con-
vention. In 1877 Mr.. Randall wrote a letter to
| the people OF Texas in which he advocated
| very strongly the extension of our commercial
relations with Mexico and the South American
| republics.
| .., ee A DEFINITE PROPOSITION.
When Mr.. Blaine became Secretary Of State
| he gave life to the idea by putting it in the
| form of definite proposition. Had he re-
manned in the State department at that time it
| IL likely that there would have been accom-
| piished then what is being now started on its
way. A great many are eager to claim the au-
| thorshlp OF the present congress, which goes to
|
pected to bring forth good results In his
report for the South American commission in
| 1888 Mr.. William E. Curtis outlined a compre-
| hensive plan for American international
| conference; and the two bills from which the
present law was drawn-one introduced by
| Senator Frye and the other by Representative
| McCreary-were drawn up by Mr.. Curtis. Sew
| eral bills were introduced in the Forty-nin
| and the Fiftieth Congresses having this object
| In view. The chairman of the House foreign af-
fn lYrri, he l. ~
| gress was opposed to the proposition and sue
ceeded in defeating the bill. But this commit
] tee had another chairman in the next Congress-
who not only favored the plan. but was the
author OF bill to put it into effect. The bill was
passed and was signed by President Cleveland
| on the oath Of May, 1885, An effort was made
| to induce Mr.. Cleveland to appoint the dele
| gates and organize De movement during his
term OF Office, but he failed to do SO, leaving
| the whole matter to his successor, who would
necessarily have had its conclusion in his hands
| anyhow.
THE LAW AUTHORIZING THE CONGRESS
| provides: That the President OF the United
States be, and he is hereby, requested and
| authorized to invite the several governments
| of the republics OF Mexico, Central and South
America, iayti, San Domingo and the empire Of
| Brazil to join the United States in a confer
snce to be held at Washington in the United
States at such time as he may deem proper in
the year 1889 for the purpose of discussing ard
| recommending for adoption to their respective
governments some plan Of arbitration for the
| settlement OF Engagements and disputes that
| may hereafter arise between them, and for
| considering questions relating to the improve
| ment of business intercourse and means Of
direct communication between said countries
| and to encourage such reciprocal commercial
relations as will be beneficial to all and secure
more extensive markets for the products OF
| each OF said countries.
Co.
| the SAID governments the President of the
United States shall set forth that the confer
| enoe Is called to consider
First. Measures that shall tend to preserve
the peace and promote the prosperity Of the
| several American states.
Second. Measures toward the formation of an
American customs union under which the
| trade OF the American nations with each other
| shall, 30 far as possible and profitable, be pro-
noted.
Third. The establishment Of regular and
frequent communication between the ports Of
| the several American states and the ports of
each other.
Fourth. The establishment of uniform sys-
| tenn OF customs regulations in each Of the in
| dependent American states to govern the mode
| OF importation and expectation Of merch andise
and port dues and charges a uniform method
OF determining the classification and valuation
OF such merchandise in the ports of each
country, and uniform system OF invoices and
'he buDlect OF inc sanitation OK ships and
quarantine.
Fifth. The adoption Of a uniform system of
weights and measures and laws to protect the
patent rights, copyrights and trade marks of
citizens OF either country in the other and for
the extradition of criminals
Sixth. The adoption of a common silver
coin, to be issued by each governments, tho
| same to be legal tender in all commercial
transactions between the citizens of all the
American States.
Seventh. An agreement upon and recon-
mendation for adoption to their respective
governments OF a definite plan of arbitration
of all questions, disputes and differences that
may now or hereafter exist between them to
the end that all difficulties and disputes be-
tween such nations may be peaceably settled
and wars prevented.
Eighth And to consider such other subjects
relating to the welfare Of the several states
represented as may be presented by any of
said states which are hereby invited to partici-
pate in said conference.
Sec. 3. That the sum of &75O0O, or 40
much thereof as may be necessary, il hereby
appropriated, out of any money in the Treas
ury not otherwise appropriated. the same to be
disbursed under the direction and in the dis
erection OF the Secretary Of State, for expenses
incidental to the conference.
Sec. 4. That the President of the United
States shall appoint by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate, ten delegates to said
conference. who shall serve without compeusa-
ton other than their actual necessary expenses,
and the several other states participating in
said n,far hall l.