The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-12-24

The Spaniards are by no means ready
to surrender the American continent to
the merchants OF the United States. IN
spite Of the occurrences of two years ago
in Cuba They are aiding an ~Ibero-
American Congress at Madrid. which IS
attended by representatives Of all the
sDanish-American republics.
Tue object CT the gathering, says
United States Consul General Julius G.
Lay, in a report from barcelona to the
State Department, is to open the South
american markets to Spaihs products
+, These proposals are being discussed;
The establishment of free trade. or
zones, AT Barcelona and other Spanish
perts, with the object of facilitating the
export trade to South America. The form
er has been practically decided upon
already.
The formation of an international bank
either With branches in the various Cen
trail and South American Republics. or
with close connections with the banking
firms already established and of long
standing
The capital OF this bank, il is ca1cu-
lated should not be less than 0,000, eco
pesetas, and should be raised partly IN
Spain and partly in Sc nth America. Some
difficulty is anticipated in obtaining the
required capital. owing 10 the doubtful
returns that may be expected during
the first few years Of its existence. espe-
cialiy as the Spanish state securities pay
ID per cent interest to investors. The
Spanish Government is therefore to be
asked 10 guarantee a certain small an
nua1 interest in consideration Of the i'm
portant advantages that viii be derived
by Spanish trade from the formation
of such banking concern
In order to more easily come to an ex-
elusive commercial understanding with the
1bero-American States, the question Will
be discussed of the advisability Of Sip
pressing the favored nation clause in ali
treaties to be made involving any special
advantages that may hereafter be mutu-
ally conceded by Spain and the Spanish
republics This precedent has already
been established IN SPANS treaty with
Switzerland for in Article II the advan-
tages granted by Spain TO Portugal or the
SyaHiSh-American republics are excluded
Portugal, also, in its treaty with Spain.
excludes the special concessions made to
Brazil. The favored nation clause that ex-
lists in all the treaties between the Span
ish-American States and European na-
tions. il is claimed, binders the develop
ment OF commercial relations between the
former States. i5Iasmuch as the smallest
concession granted to any of their neigh
bors is Immediately claimed by all other
nations
An international copyright among all
Spanish-speaking countries is to be pro-
posed. with a heavy import duty On all
books printed abroad IN the Spanish Ian
guage-
State regulated emigration agencies. to.
stop the indiscriminate emigration OF the
working classes to countries having moth
ing in common with the Spanish race, sup
ported by private societies at all the DIFF
ferent foreign ports Of arrival to look aft
er and assist the immigrants in the Span
disappearing countries.
Formation of commercial museums ii
all the chief cities OF South America and
reduction in railroad and steamship fares.
besides other facilities to commercial
travellers
improvements in the postal service be
tween Spain and Central and South Amer
lea and establishment of parcel post.
The laying of cable between Spain and
South America is also TO De advocated.
and the Governments Of the countries con-
cerned are to be asked to consider the
question of establishing uniform cur
rency-