The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-04-21
Em The Pan-AmerIcan Congress.

y The Pan-American Congress, which has
been in session in Washington about six
months, adjourned finally on Saturday. The
Congress attracted the most attention from
the country when ito members were journey
ing through the Nosthern States and being
entertained in Northern cities. Its proceed
ings in Washington have been, no doubt,
closely watched by few, but from the great
mass of the people they have won little at
tention, chiefly because the subjects under
discussion, though many of them of great
intrinsic importance, were too reconcile to
excite popular Interest.
The Congress has discussed a great
many matters. but its positive actions have
been few. Some of the most important
questions have been left for future decision
by commissioners recommended by the Con-
gress. This was the case with regard to
monetary convention between the repul lies
Of North and South America. committee
OF the Congress, by vote of six to one, rec
commended an international coin or coins of
uniform weight and fineness, the same to be
legal tender in all the American States.
This recommendation was opposed by the
delegate from the United States on the COM
mittee, and after discussion the Congress re-
jected the report and disposed of the ques-
ton by recommending the appointment Of a
monetary commission ''to consider the quan-
tity and kind Of currency, the uses it shall
have. and the value and proportion of the
International silver coin or coins, and their
relations to gold" Practically the Congress
left the question just where it found it, for
this recommendation is merely advisory, and
carries no authority with it.
AS regards railway communication be-
tween North and South America, the action
OF the Congress was advisory merely, and
consisted of resolution in favor Of a north
and south railway, connecting all or a ma
jority of the countries represented; the an
pointment Of an international commission of
engineers to study the possible routes; that
the governments invite proposals for the
construction and operation of the line and
that work of such magnitude deserved to
beencouraged by subsidies. The committee on
communication on the Atlantic coast recon-
mended government aid to steamship lines
between the United States and ports of Bra
I'll and the Rio de la Plata, to be subsidized
by the United Statos, Brazil, the Argentine
Republic and Uruguay. Similar recommen-
dations were made in regard to steamship
lines on the west coast, and in the Gulf of
Mexico and the Caribbean Sea-
Whether commercial union between the
Republics Of North and South America will
grow out of the Congress remains to be SEEN
majority of the nations represented in the
congress voted in favor Of a resolution
looking to that end, but the important States
OF Chill, Paraguay and the Argentine Re-
pubic iSsented. The most that can be said
Is tnat the Congress has turned the attention
OF tne nations interested to that question.
Whether anything practical will grow ont ~ |
IT'S consideration is for the future tn dacida
Ihere is good reason to believe that NJ
Blaine favors the scheme, and that between
now and the next session of Congress- troo
ties VIII be negotiated with several Of the |
southern republics, which, If ratified bv the
Senate OF the United States land approved
blythe House, win create practically com
mercial union between this country ana
some Of the southern republics.
The Congress was unanimous in favor of |
comprehensive system of arbitration which
shall cover all matters of dispute relating to |
diplomatic etiquette, territories, boundaries
questions OF navigation, the enforcement |
construction and validity of treaties. and ali |
other quarrels, except when the indepen-
dence OF the nation involved may seem to be
at stake. Arbitration Of all the questions
specihed Is to be compulsory. II this recon-