The Washington critic., 1890-04-22
THE CONGRESS NOT A FAILURE.

THE CONGRESS NOT a FAILURE.
Now that the Pan. American Congress
has finally adjourned, disposition is
discernible in certain portions of the
press to belittle its work and to assert
that its deliberations can have no prac-
tical results. But it should in no
quarter be forgotten that it was con
vened less with the view of effecting
immediate negotiations of an inter
national kind than with that of arriving
at preliminary understanding of the
questions that are of mutual interest
TO the sister Republics of the American
continent.
That this is the case will be seen by
remembering the topics which were
suggested for discussion in the invita-
tions sent out by this Government to the
various governments participating, and
If comparison is made between the
topics so suggested and the several re-
ports on various subjects adopted by
the congress it will be further seen how
fully the original purpose has been full
filed. AS yet the country has no In
formation as TO the discussions which
preceded those reports, for the congress
met in secret session, but beyond ques-
ton they must have been OF the most
valuable and instructive character. In
any case the congress must have had
the effect of making the distinguished
representatives, Of countries that are not
only contiguous to each other, but are
bound together by political and com
mercial ties, better acquainted with each
other and with the views and interests
of their respective communities.
II should be borne in mind that
though the conference was thoroughly
authorized and representative body ii
had no treaty making power, and its
conclusions were not to be held bind
ing until action to that effect should be
taken by their respective governments,
1t was from the first understood TINT
such conclusions were to be purely
Tecommendatory, and that their pur-
pose would be largely accomplished in
the educative and moral influence they
would naturally exert.
In accordance with this view the re-
ports adopted recommend many meas.
ures calculated to remove some obsta-
oles which exist in regard to commercial
and social intercourse between this
country and our southern neighbors
Means for the Improvement of commu-
nication both by land and water have
been suggested. A uniform modifica
tion Of customs methods, Of weights
and measures, of commercial and lega
usages have been proposed and recon-
mended. The establishment of an in
ternatioDal American bank, will
branches or agencies in all of the Pan
American countries, was also recon
mended, with the view Of organizing
system Of exchanges among the coun
tries represented. The idea of Pan
American commercial union was pro
posed, but the condition of some of tn
countries in regard to revenue aud in
ternal finance was such that insuperabl,
objections were raised.
Probably the crowning work of Tia,
convention was the plan of arbitration
which was agreed to, and which, If ac
cepted by all the governments repre-
sented, will introduce new and i'm
poTtant principle into the public law o
the Western hemisphere. BY this plal
all disputes in matters of diplomats
etiquette, territory, boundaries, ques
lions Of navigation, and all such ques