The record-union., 1899-10-09
VIII Attend the Congress to Be Held al
Philadelphia This Week.
The Opening Ceremonies Will
Take Place at the Auditorium
at Ha1f-past Two O'Clock ON
Thursday Afternoon-Many Im-
portant Subjects to be Dis~
cussed During the Proceedings

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. S.-The In
ternational Commercial Congress, CONS
posed of delegates from most of the
civilized governments of the world and
| representatives from the most import
ant Chambers of Commerce of all trade
centers, will convene in the auditorium
of the National Export Exposition here
on Thursday next.
Assistant Secretary of State David j.
Hill will preside at the opening cere-
monies, which will begin at 2:30
O'Clock. Mr.. Hill will deliver an adj
dress of welcome to the foreign dele-
gates. The full diplomatic corps at
Washington will be present to give
eclat to the occasion, and several mems
bers of the Cabinet will accompany
Mr. Hill and take part in the days
| exercises.
The address of the Assistant SecreA
tary will be followed by a speech by
Mayor Ashbridge of this city, who will
welcome the members of the congress
to the city and extend to them the
courtesies of the municipality. In the
morning prior to the assembling of the
congress a reception will be held at the
City Hall to the delegates and digni-
taries gathered to participate in the
CPChiLS lOAoCof NAAlSA VIII OG VI dh
elaborate character, and be attended
by the leading citizens of Philadelphia.
| At the auditorium, upon the concH-
sion of Mayor Ashbridges address.
| Charles H. Cramp, President of the
Philadelphia Commercial Museum, will
formally open the proceedings in an
address explaining the purpose and
scope of the congress. His address will
| be followed by speech by Director
| w. P. Wilson, who will enter into al
general announcement of the details
of the future meeting of the interna-
tional gathering.
President Mckinley, who will be de-
tanned at Chicago on account of his
previous engagement in that city, wills
however, personally participate in the
| opening Of the congress by sending inn
mediately upon the conclusion of the
proceedings of the day, telegram an
nouncing the sympathy of the United
States in the movement and extending
on behalf of the Government from it's
executive head a cordial greeting to-
the delegates.
Curiously enough, among the dele-
gates at the opening of the congress
will be large number of representa-
tives from Spain, and one of the most
interesting figures among the delegates
will be the President of the Chamber
of Commerce of Manila.
The congress will enter into general
discussion of the worlds trade with a.
view to suggestions for the regulation
of foreign commerce in such way as
to provide for it's greatest development
consistent with native interest.
The following general scope of the
I :.
the purposes of the conventions:
Foreign trade in general, including
the questions of the establishment for
international arbitration from a cons
| mercial standpoint and the establish~
ment of international boards of arbi-
tration for the settlement of trade dis
putes.
The advantages of an extension of in4
ternational post facilities
The discussion of the interoceanic ca
nal projects. and the advantage to all
nations of an isthmian canal
international banking and currency.
/ including international banking in its
relation to trade and the need of in
ternational laws concerning banks
ruptcy, patents and trademarks.
A discussion of the new spheres of
influences of the United States sug-
gested by the results of our recent war
with Spain.
Also inquiries into the future of tha
British West Indies and the applica-
tion of the Monroe doctrine to Ameri-
can republics.
The question of an open door pol-
icy in China, of the South African sit-
uation, of tariff policies. of shipping
subsidies, of trade prospects and the
commercial outlook for the coming cen-
tury will be features of the meetings.
The deliberations Of the congress wil1
/, be in English. but no modern languages
will be excluded.
The congress will be absolutely dis
interested, and the discussions will be
entirely free and unchecked.