Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-09-26
THUassAH. SEPT. se, 1889.
Oongress Of the Americas.

European press about the Convention to
meet presently in Washington of dele
gates from the American Republics ac-
centuates the Importance to the
sovereigntiss interested in the action that
may be taken in this grand American
Council. A Vienna newspaper, the
official organ of the Austrian Govern
ment, is particularly alarmed at the as
sembling of this New World Congress,
and foresees great danger to the COM
merce and industries of Europe in case
that the American Governments should
form closer alliance than now exists
Ger purposes of interchange of trade and
carrying out the principles Of the Mon.
roe doctrine.
It is fact that an unnatural COM
mercial condition exists between the
United States and the Spanish. American
nations of this continent. With the ad-
vantage of contiguity, we should furnish
cur neighbors with lines of manufac-
tures that are supplied by Europe.
Although the merchants Of the United
States are not behind those of any
country in energy and enterprise, yet
they have never, it would seem, been
able to successfully compete with Euro.
peans for q just share of the vast trade
which is carried on with Spanish Amer
lea. A feeling Of suspicion seems to
have been nursed by our neighbors
against the United States, and that feel
ing has been carefully encouraged by the
resident European merchants and by the
policy of the diplomatic representatives
of the European Governments. We
have been represented to the peoples of
the Spanish Americas as nation that
was lying in wait to absorb their terri
tory and subjugate their Governments.
We were made to appear in the
role of Rome in the time of her
power, - as the nation that would
reach out to dominate and subdue
the weaker Republics and even
tually become the mistress of the whole
continent. 1t is needless to say that the
United States have long ceased to coun.
tenance the policy of annexation and
territorial expansion that was once justly
ehargeable to them. The policy of peace
has taken the place of the policy of
aggression, and we have no designs
whatever upon our neighbors other than
those that may lead to the closest bonds
Of friendship and cordiality, based upon
mutual interest and the mutual we'll
being and advancement. of all the peoples
on this continent.
One Of the best and most important
results we look for from this interna-
tional American Congress will be in the
establishment of better understanding
between the people of this country and
those Of our neighboring Republics.
They will doubtless be made to zee by
our acts as we'll as by our protestations
that what we require is that which will
be best for all. If we can agree upon
uniform weights and measures and uni.
form coinage, the advantages that would
result to all the countries on this conti-
nent entering into such league would
be inestimable. Ii, again, we could lay
down The basis Of "a reciprocity that
would be Just to all concerned, that
would be stride in the direction of last
ing benefit to every nation on the Amer
ican continent.
Mexico, Central and South America
have raw materials in great volume and
variety that are required by our manu-.
facturers. The United States has i'm
provements in machinery and tools
suited to all Industrial enterprises which
could be advantageously introduced into
those countries. Our textile and other
fabrics ought, under proper trade condi-
tions and just reciprocal policy, to oust
the fabrics made in Europe. Surely we
have advantages that should, under a
wise policy on the part of our Govern
ment, enable us to successfully compete
for Spanish American trade at our very
door with the manufacturers of Europe
several Thousand miles away.
We shall not look for immediate re-
suits from this international Congress.
If it will lay broad and deep the basis Of
a sentiment of goodwill between our
selves and the Spanish-American peoples,
and wipe out unjust suspicious that have
caused them to look upon us rather as
enemies than their natural friends, it
will have accomplished great and bene-
ficent work.
RumOred santa Fe Changes and