The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-02-18
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY Il, 1890.


It will be a surprise to many to hear
that the Pan-American Conference Is
still in session. That an international
convention. composed Of so many men
Of the very highest prominence in their
respective countries, should have sunk
into the obscurity that has marked the
history Of this conference, seems pecu-
fairly strange when it Is recalled that
no where are the proceedings Of public
assemblies Of national importance fol-
lowed with more interest and curiosity
than in the United States. In the light
Of the activity Of our press in securing
news. il does not appear to be a sufii-
cient explanation 20 be told that the
sessions Of the conference have been
more or less secret, for if its transac-
tions had been such as to attract general
attention, the public would have been
fully informed Of their character and
bearing.
TIE truth is that the public have long
recognized that thu whole conference
was necessarily a farce on account Of
the distractions TO a fresr commercial
intercourse between this country and
the Central and South American Re
publics, which exist in the tariff sys.
TEN now in operation amongst us.
What have we 10 offer with view to
securing larger volume Of the trade
of these Republics. which owing to the
more enlightened policy of the Eu
rOpean nations have long been in the
closest commercial union with the lat
Ter countries. although there is every
reason TO believe that their natural
sympathiss would draw them much
more strongly towards usS We have
nothing to offer except subsidies, de-
vice that is dear to the Republican
heart, but which in such a case as this
is not likely to accomplish more than
the enriching of few individuals.
So little interest do the American
delegates themselves feel in the con-
ference on account Of its impractical
character. that we are informed that
comparatively few attend its sttings,
and those who do, not having any def
mite instructions from their own gov
ernment, cannot take any authoritative
part in the discussions. The only
grounds on which the foreign could
meet the American delegates with any
prospect of reaching some useful con-
illusions. have been grounds on which
the American delegates have differed so
widely in opinion amongst Themselves,
that no final agreement has been
reached. This has been notably the
case on the question Of silver. In the
matter of railroads, it ID stated there
has been some approach to harmony of
views. but even in this respect, the re
suit Of the conference has been most in
significant.
On the whole, there has never assem-
bled in this country body whose work
has been entitled to so little popular
consideration a. that Of the Pan-Ameri-
can conference. 1t is open. to muci
doubt whether it has even accomplish
ed the good upon which President Har-
rison dwslt at length in his message
namely, the cultivation of more AMIGA
bic relations between all the American
powers. Having proved to be SO en-
tirely unfruitful in an economic sense,
il follows naturally and logically that
it will be almost wholly abortive in ere
ating the kindly international feeling
which President Harrison at least ex-
pected Of it. 1t will. in fact, exert 10
permanent influence Of any kind-if
for no other reason, because It's very
existence is largely forgotten, even be
fore 1t has finally adjourned.