Evening star., 1897-06-04
Review Of Interesting Circumstances
in Connection With It.
VICTORY OF ME LATIN-AMERICANS
They Dictated Fairer Methods in
the Postal Union.
AN INTERESTING CHAPTER

Now that the universal postal congress
has virtually concluded its sessions with
the exception of the seance de cloture,
which will be held upon the return Of the
delegates from their journey to Chicago, it
will be interesting to review the proceed
ings and perceive what they mean to the
newer civilizations which have become, in
recent years, members of the postal union.
Like all other postal congresses. the dele
gates from the great powers of Europe
proceeded 10 organize the present one &C
cording to their own interests, and outlined
a program to protect those interests to the
exclusion, IL need be, of all others that
might in any way conflict with them. The
selection Of the president of the congress
was an unfortunate one. General Batchel-
ler was not conversant with the primary
ideas of the Universal Postal Union. He
had never been thrown in contact with
men who are identified with such interests
until. by reason of his knowledge OF
French to degree sufficient to utilize
it for conversational purposes, he was ap-
pointed first delegate of the United States
ana introduced to his colleagues for the
first time in Washington. In appointing
the committees which were to consider
the propositions submitted for decision he
extracted himself from a serious difficulty,
occacsioned by his ignorance of his duties,
by appointing the same committees, which
were appointed at the postal congress in
Vienna. OF course, the personnel OF the
committees was different. but the countries
represented on them were the same, and as
their interests were Unchanged, the COM
plexion of the committees was identical
with those of Vienna.
Latin Americana Incensed.
Latin America was virtually ignored in
the formation of these bodies. and right
there. it is said, the organization of the
congress became fatally defective. The
Europeans loftily pretended to regard the
objection of the delegates from Latin
America as of no Importance, and pro-
ceeded to carry on the committee work us
they had planned. Some of the representa-
tives of the weaker European and Asian
powers, however, saw in the Indignation Of
the Latin American delegates an opportu-
nifty to make a coalition to prevent further
infringements upon their rights as men,
bers of the Postal Union by their stronger
and more powerful colleagues. There was
chance, they saw, for the ameliorat ton
Of former exacting conditions, and for the
introduction of fairer ard more just inter-
changes along the lines of postal facilities,
but they hesitated about suggesting the
entering into compact. The Latin Anferi-
cans, however, had perceived this possibili-
ty long before the others, and they en-
tered into an agreement among themselves
to be unit in demanding fairer state of
affairs in the future management of the
Postal Union. The representa- liyes of the
weaker old countries were naturally graft
fed when they learned of this, and request
ed that they might enter into harmony
with the Latin Americans. This request
vas granted, but the Latin Americans un-
dertook the management of the opposition
program. They were victorious all the
way through. They dictated in every par
t1cular what the first commissioner should
do; the matters under consideration by the
other two commissioners being of no ma
terial interest to them.
The Test of Strength.
The test case, which settled the strength
of the Latin American party, was decided
in a novel manner. One of the South
American delegates was compelled to leave
the city and made one of the representa-
tives from a sister republic his proxy to
cast his vote when any occasion arose.
The English delegates vehemently pro-
tested against the vote of the absent dele
gate being counted but the result was
that by an overwhelming vote after a
very long discussion the right of proxy was
upheld.
In the col sideration of the various prop
ositions in the first commission, therefore
the opposition's strength was closely count.
ed and when it was found that any radi-
cal Recommendation would be defeated il
the congress itself shrewd care was taken
to make reports more conservative thar
would have been otherwise the case.
In a word, therefore, the Pan-AmericaI
Influence in the universal postal congress
was supreme and while the Europeans
took good care not tc appear as being de-
feated in the general assembly. and joined
with apparent heartiness in the applaus.
which greeted the conclusion of it's bust
ness. many of them will carry back te
their capitals regretful "reminiscences Of
the victory won over them by the new
and vigorous men who are managing the
affairs of state and taking care of the do
mestic conditions on the eastern side Of
the Atlantic.
An Enjoyable ExcursiOn.
A special train Of I.ine finely appointed
Pullman cars left here at o'clock this
morning over the Pennsylvania railroad
carrying the Universal Postal Congress Oh
its trip about the country. About 40 per
sors were aboard, comprising most of the
delegates from the foreign countries, The
United States, delegates and postal Off
cials, including Assistant Postmasters Gen
eral Heath and Shallenberger, together
with the ladies of the party. The train was
in charge of Tourist Agent Bell. and con
sisted Of four sleeping cars, composite
compartment and observation cars and two
dining cars. The trip will occupy abou
nine days and will embrace many of the
leading cities, the stops, however usually
being only for a few hours. The itinerary
includes F1ttsburg, this evening; Indian
Spolis, Sunday morning: St. Louis. Satur
day night and Sunday; Chicago all of Mon
day: Cleveland, Tuesday morning; Niagara
Falls, Tuesday afternoon; Buffalo, Tuesda,
| night and Wednesday morning; Rochester
and Syracuse, Wednesday evening; Boston
thursday. from $50 pm. to midnight; AL
bany, Friday forenoon: brief stop at Yves
Peint; New York, Friday evening; Atlanti,
City. Saturday morning; PHILADELPHIA, Sat
Erday afternoon; arrive Washington, 6:3
Saturday evening.
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