New-York tribune., 1900-05-06
GOSSIP OF THE CAPITAL.
MEETING OF THE LATIN AMERICANS
AND THE COMING CONGRESS.
WHAT HAS BEEN ACCoMPLIsHED-TH AUTO
MOBILE FAD-THE sULTAN's MIN
ISTER HAS A CHANCE.

IsTER HAS A CHANCE
Washington. May 5-At the recent meeting of
the Latin American representatives, here in the
interest of the second International Congress
little was done except to authorize the Execu-
tive Committee to make all arrangements Tor
the proposed congress. to determine the place
where it shall be held, to fix the date Tor lts
meeting and to formulate plans for Its guidance
The work intrusted to this committee is a vast
one the responsibility great, but its members
Antonio del Viso Charge d'ATaires of the Ar
gentine Republic; Don Joaquin Bernardo CalVo,
Minister from Costa Rica; Don Climaco Calde-
ron Minister from Colombia and Don Lazo Ar
riaga Minister from Guatemala-are men OF
eminence and experience and abundanty
equipped for the difficult task imposed upon
them by their colleagues AS yet nothing def-
mite has been decided upon, but it is not prob
able that the congress will meet again in Wash
ington The City of Mexico or one of the South
American capitals will doubtless be chosen
1t is believed that the coming congress Will
accomplish more in certain ways than the first
ternational-pOpularly known as the ran
American-congress accomplished. This con-
eress which met here in President Harrisons
Administration while Mr.. Blaine, through whose
Influence it was assembled, was Secretary or
State was an experiment and its greatest mis-
sion the bringing together in harmony ana a1hity
of the various nations this continent, who have
so many interests in common. In his address OF
welcome Secretary Blaine, who was made presi-
dent of the congress, said:
The delegates | am addressing do much
to establish permanent relations of confidence,
respect and friendship between the nations
which they represent. They can show to the
world honorable, peaceful conference or elgh-
teen independent American Powers. in which all
shall meet together on terms of absolute equall-
ty; a conference in which there can be no at
tempt to coerce a single delegate against ms
cwn conception of the interests of his nation;
a conference which Will permit no secret under
standing any subject, but will frankly pub
sh to the worlG all its conclusions; a confer
ence which will tolerate spirit of conquest,
but will aim to cultivate an American sympathy
as broad as both continents; a conference. in
fine, which will seek nothing, propose nothing
that is not in the general sense of the delegates,
timely, peaceful and wise
The congress followed to the letter the ideal
lines which Mr. Blaine marked out and the
moral effect it had upon its delegates and the
countries they represented cannot be OvereSti-
mated. Not only did the eminent sent
here from the Latin American republics have
the privilege of long stay at the United States
capital. with abundant time and unusual oppor-
.unities to study it's methods of government and
20 observe at close range its various depart
nents in operation, but they were taken through
the most interesting parts of the country and
nnder the auspices of the Government visited
the principal cities, the great manufactor
dockyards and arsenals, being received every
where with the consideration and dignity be-
fitting their mission. This journey of in
calculabe value in impressng the delegates
with the wealth. power and resources of the
United States, and by many of the visiting for
eIgners was declared to be the most ENJOYABLE
and instructive part of the congress.
The two most important measures adopted
by the first congress-the only important meas
ureS. in fact-Were the establishment of an In
ternatlonal American Monetary Union that had
as a basis an International silver coin which
should be legal tender in all the countries
represented in the conference and the founding
OF bureau at Washington unGer the SUPER
VISION OF the Secretary of State. The Monetary
Union met and discussed ardently and earnestly
the object for which it called together but
as the monetary experts had seen in the he
ginning, owing to the different standards ex-
listing in the various countries their nerotia-
tons came to nothing
Inc bureau Of American Republics was
<"eNer firmly established ami its usefulness
IN uhltlnS the countries it represents in maxi
ing them better acquainted and in advanci.,.,
thelr commercial interests has more than met
lhe hopes or It's founders. It's present Director
Is W. w. ROckhill. former American nfi,ir.o.