The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-19
THE AMERICAN STATES
TO MEET IN CONFERENCE IN WASH.
INGToN NEXT OCTOBER.
The Measures That Are To Be Discussed
and Their Importance Commercial
Reciprocity To Be the Gain for Which
the United States Will Aim.


ternational Conference to meet in that city
on October 2, that Congress appropriated
5000 for its expenses. The Commission
ers are to receive no salary or other COM
pensation, except their expenses in the
city. This Conferences the result of an
agitation which has long been pending in
Congress. There is some dispute as to
who is the author OF it. Historically the
fact appears to be that the scheme origin
ated with the late Representative Richard
w. Townshend, of Illinois. 1t is legti-
mate outgrowth of his project for Zoll-
verein which should embrace the entire
American continent The project was
encouraged by Mr.. Blaine when Secretary
OF State under President Garfield, and in
its present form owes its passage to the
earnest efforts OF Senator Frye. The OBJ
jects OF the Conference can, perhaps, be
best understood by an examination OF the
eight points which are to be submitted for
the consideration OF the Conference, viz.
]. Measures that shall tend to preserve
the peace and promote the prosperity OF
2. Measures toward the formation OF
an American Customs Union, under which
the trade OF the American nations with
each other shall, so far rs possible and
Profitable, be promoted.
3. The establishment OF regular and
frequent communication between the ports
OF the several American States and the
ports OF each other.
A Tho ahliabuapt ~ n ,niforp, ot,o.
tenn OF customs regulations in each OF the
Independent American States to govern
the mode OF importation and expectation
OF merchandise and port dues and charges,
uniform method of determining the
classification and valuation Of such mer-
chandise in the ports OF each country, and
a uniform system OF invoices, aud the sub.
jet Of the sanitation OF ships and quaran-
tine.
8. 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 extraditon OF criminals.
9. The adoption Ola common silver coin
TO be issued by each Government, the
same 10 bo legal tender In all commercial
transactions between the citizens OF all the
American States.
z. An agreement upon and recommen d.
alton for adoption TO their respective Cow
ernments Of n 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 between such nations may be
pc;Seably settled and wars prevented.
s. And 20 consider such other subjects
relating 10 the welfare Of the various
States represented as may be presented by
any Of said States which are thereby in
vited TO participate in said conference.
IL is understood that one Of the subjects
10 be brought prominently before the
conference will be the question OF steam
ship subsidies The advocates OF the ex-
tension OF commerce with the Central and
South American countries have consist
entity maintained in Congress that steam
communication with those countries can
not be established except through Gov.
ernment aid in the iirst instance. A num-
Der OF the delegates 90 this conference are
committed TO that proposition, aud doubt
less the most OF them are OF that opinion.
But one OF them, Mr.. Pinkney Whyie, OF
Maryland, has been one OF the most zeal.
Gus opponents OF the subsidy PROPOSITION
in and out Of Congress, aud even since his
appointment has, in a published inter
view, opposed the subsidy system, and in.
Dictated that whatever may DO the purpose
oil the Administration or the views OF his
associate members on the conference, hC
Is opposed to the subsidy system. IL will
be urged by the prolectionisls, on the
other hand. that Mr.. Whyte Is acting in the
interest OF the clipper ships which are
owned in Baltimore. and which have rela'
tons with the South American trade.
Proposition No. ! Is one which will 70.
ceive great deal OF support from thos,
who are urging the increased commercial
relations between the other countries o
this continent and the United States
\ Most OF the officials cay that the grea
Ndmwback now In the way OF extending
J -commercc by the means Of tho new parce
post system " that there Is no medium o
making exchanges The Postoiiice De
parlment has long had under considefa
ton some means by which Nm international
money order system could be es,abiishe,
which would take into account the fac
that silver il the coinage Of Mexico. Mr.
Romero, the Mexican Minister here, ha
also had the same subjects under consid
Grafton for some years, aud II is believe,
has outlined plan by which II is hopes
that this eau be accomplished. That plan
!. very possibly, may be submitted 10 ihi
II Congress Mexico IN known 10 take a yer,
, earnest interest in the project OF tho con
ference. and II IL understood that Prcsi
dent Diaz IL In favor Of IL. IL Is true tia
Mexico has not even domestic none
order system ye, but those who are n
miliar with the purposes OF Us Govern
ment ay that one could easily be csiab
iiahpd N Am international system could b
made possible. aud some means provided b.
which the Mexican merchants could pa!
for the goods imported through the me
dunn OF the new parcel post wtihou
submitting TO great loss In the way q
exchanges
Tse countries invited by the nc, 10 pa
ticipalo In this conference are Mexico. th
republics Of Central aud South Americ.
Hayt. San Domingo aud Brazil. Most ,
these countries have already accepted th
invitation.
President Cleveland could have ~
pointed the members OF this conference
but although repeatedly urged TO do 70 b
his party associates, he declined. II
reason Is understood 10 have been that u
asmuch ~ the conference would DO hcl
under the new administration, u was ~
propriatc that President Harrison shouI
have the selection Of the members Of u
conference.
The proceedings Of the conference are
be published daily In the English, SPANS
and Portuguese languages. and the Seer
tary Of State Is charged with the maxim
Of the necessary preparations for doif
that.