Evening journal., 1899-10-12
A NAnoNy~rR6DE CONGRESS,
Worlds Commercial Affairs win Be Dis
cussed BY, Representatives From
Many Foreign Countries at the
Philadelphla Expositlon.

Philadelphia, Oct. '1O.-The 1nterna-
tional Commercial Congress. composed
of delegates from most of the civilized
governments Of the world and repre-
sentatives from the most important
chambers Of commerce of all trade
centers, will convene in the Auditorium
Of the National Export exposition on
Thursday. Assistant Secretary of
State David J. Hill will preside at the
opening ceremonies and deliver an ad-
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 mem
bers of the cabinet will accompany
Secretary Hill and take part in the
days exercises. The address of Sec
retary Hill will be followed by a speech
by Mayor Ashbridge, of this city, who
win welcome the members of the con-
gress to Philadelphia and extend to
them the courtesies of the municipal
ity. AT the conclusion of Mayor Ash
bridge's address Mr.. Charles III. Cramp,
president of the Philadelphia CONNER
cial Museum. will formally open the
proceedings in an address explaining
the purposes and scope of the congress.
His address will be followed by a
speech by Director w. p. Wilson, who
will enter into a general announcement
Of the details of future meetings OF the
international gathering. President Nc
Kinley will personally participate in
the opening OF the congress by sending
a message Immediately upon the con-
clusion Of the other proceedings of the
day, announcing the sympathy OF the
United States in the movement and ex-
tending, on behalf OF the government,
from its executive head, a cordial greet
ing to the delegates.
Curiously enough, among the dele
gates at the opening OF the congress
will be a 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 a discussion of the worlds
trade, with q view to suggestions for
the regulation Of foreign commerce, in
such a way as to provide for its great
est development consistent with ma
tive interest. The following general
scope of the discussions will convey a
fair idea of the purposes of the conven-
tion
Foreign trade in general, including
questions Of the establishment for in
ternatiOnal arbitration from a com
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
! international post facilities.
The discussion of the interoceanic
canal projects and the advantages to
ali nations of an Isthmian canal.
international banking and currency,
/ including banking in its relation TO
trade and the need OF international
laws concerning bankruptcies. patents
and trade marks.
A discussion Of the new spheres of
influence Of the United States sug-
gested by the results of our recent war
with Spain.
Inquiries into the future of the Brit
ish West Indies and the application of
the Monroe doctrine TO American re-
publics.
The question Of an open door policy
in China. of the South African situ-
tion and trade prospects and the COM
/ mercial outlook for the coming cen
tury will be features OF the meetings.
The deliberations Of the congress will
be in English. but no modern language
will be excluded.