Wichita eagle., 1890-03-08
PRACTICAL SIDE OF PAN-AMERI
CANISM


ing facts in explanation of the work OF
the Pan-American congress, or rather OF
the purposes that it is the province OF
that convocatIon to promote.
The consultation of American coun-
tries for mutual material advantage
should date back to the year 1921, when
President Monroe enunciated the grand
doctrine that no European nation would
be permitted to interfere in the affairs OF
any Of the small republics OF this CONT
nent. That meant that this continent
was consecrated to the republican form
of government; and it SO remains today
/ and the principle cannot be upset with
out fight and some bIoodshed. But, as
I a matter of fact, cooperation 70 this end
! dates back to 1925, when the United
States of Colombia invited all American
governments to send representatives TO
Panama. Revolutions in several coun-
tries prevented the reassenbling Of the
conference at the adjourned session in
1927, and the Pan-American project
slumbered until Secretary Biaine's invi-
tation to Spanish republics in 1891,
which ended IN nothing during the con-
fusion and change consequent upon the
assassination of President Garfield.
The present congress had its origin in
the act of the Fiftieth congress, to facil-
itato "the improvement OF business in
tercourse and means Of direct communi-
cation; to encourage such reciprocal
commercial relations IS Will be ben
eficial to all. and secure more extensive
markets for the products Of each Of said
countries" OF Northern, Central and
South America.
OF the opportunities for doing good
open to the international gathering there
is abundant proof. Our sister republics
of America annually import from Eng
land cotton goods to the value of $40,-
900, 900. and from the United States like
articles only to the value of $4,000
Our own great cotton producing country
is certainly the natural source of supply
of such articles for use in South and Cen
trail America, and yet they are purchased
from England in the ratio of ten to one,
although the English fabrics are in great
part made from the American staple. OF
a total foreign commerce of these peo-
pies approaching one billion of dollars
annually, we enjoy less than one-1ifth,
and our dealings with them are much
larger as buyers than as sellers, although
our factories are their natural source of
supply. Of our expectations. 50 per
cent, so to Europe, and only per cent.
to American countries.
The immense disadvantage under
which we labor in American trade inter-
course is purely artificial. American
harbors to the south are more accessible
to our vessels than to those of Europe. |
The astonishing suspension of inter-
course has its origin in custom, not in |
nature. With every inducement and |
every opportunity to attach our sister /
republics to our country by the closest I
of commercial linterdependence, we have |
allowed them to remain in all matters of |
and traffic in the position of
European colonies. But their COM |
mercial vassaiage has for the most part !
been transferred from their parent !
countries to England, always eager in
pursuit of ''trade that follows the flag"
The project for continuous rail COM
throughout the Americas is, !
no doubt, one of very great importance,
but how to make the stars and stripes
the best known flag in American harbors
is unquestionably our chief problem in
relations. The result we
desire may be only slowly reached, but
we will attain it if broad views prevail
and wise courses are pursued. With
the opening of commercial relations
sentiment has much to dc. 1t is custom
out of intimacy with Europe
that we have to overcome. Even if
there be no great results speedily appar-
from the Pan-American conyocation,
much benefit cannot tail to ensue if our
of the conference be
by tact and liberalitv.