The evening times., 1900-05-30
THE AMERICAN REPUBLICS
A Conference Will Be Held in the
City of Mexico.
Important International Subjects
VIII He Discussed, Including Ar
dustry, Agriculture, and Com
merce-The Programme Arranged.

The programme to govern the projected
conference Of American Republics, which
will be held in the City of Mexico has
been completed by the executive committee
of the International Union of American Re-
publics This programme has been en-
bodied in u circular. and copies have been
furnished TO the representatives, in Wash
ington OF the several American Repub les.
1t is expected that the programme viii be
approved by the various Governments in
terested.
The subjects 20 be discussed at the con-
ference will be of great international i'm
portance Among them are the following;
First-Subiects discussed by the former
conference which the new conference may
decide TO consider.
Standardization
Third-Internationa Court Of Claims.
Fourth-Measures for the protection Of
industry, agriculture, aud commerce; de-
yelopment Of the means Of communication
between the countries composing the
union: consular. port, and customs regula-
tions; statistics
FIfth-ReOrganiZatiOn of the Information
al Bureau OF American Republics.
Regarding the first head the executive
committee found that the programme Cf
the first conference probably was too ex-
tensive. Certainly It embraced everything
possible, and 10 new subjects, except
those above enumerated, can be brought
before the coming conference. The p.acti-
cal results of the first conference, though
limited in number, are declared to have lad
great significance, and it certainly fur
thered harmony and q good understanding
between the American nations. Practical
results were the Monetary Conference OF
1891, the survey of the Intercontinental
Railway and the compilation ard publica-
tiOn OF the code Of commercial nOmencla-
tuTe.
Arbitration. the second topic. while dis
cussed by the first conference, it is de-
elared, was not treated as it should have
been, and certainly not as II might be in
View Of the progress made toward the So
luton of that important international ques-
tion by The Hague Peace Conference.
The International Court of Claims is an
entirely new subject. As indicated by the
title, il IS proposed TO create a permanent
tribunal for the settlement On sound and
uniform principles of all claims arising be-
tween the American Republics.
The fourth head is very comprehensive
and important. 1t is felt that by mutual
action much can be done to further indus
try agriculture and commerce by proper
legislation, and by direct exchange of com
modi:ies between the countries represent
ed in the conference. The development of
means OF communication will probably-or
at least that is the intention-involve the
congress in a discussion of the ship sub
sidy question, from which Will result it is
n diuu
these subsidies that will avoid duplication
OF service and other unnecessary expenses.
while securing regular and sufficient
steamship communication between the
ports Of the American Republics.
The commercial world is said to be deep
ly interested in the subhead Consular,
Port, and Customs Regulations" under
the fourth article. Here the purpose is to
secure. so far as possible. uniform classi-
ication OF merchandise; similar methods
ad valorem or speclfc-in the imposition
Of customs tariffs. and uniformity Of the
customs and consular regulations so far as
this can be achieved. The committee feels
that there is little need of emphasizing
the recommendation that the subject OF
statistics be considered, with a view to
securing accurate figures relative to trade.
transportation and other. matters Of vital
interest to the American Republics on
which 10 base future action.
The date for the meeting of the con-
gTess was not settled by the executive
committee. 1t did, however. in view OF the
Approaching absence of the members from
Washington. and to guard against delay,
request Secretary Hay to send cable des-
patches to the Governments of the Repub-
lies in-Ued to the conference, asking for
an answer to the invitation, and, should
their answers be affirmative. requesting
them TO authorize their representatives in
Washington by cable to designate the place
and time of holding the conference 1t Ia
expected. therefore that the important
question of date will be speedily settled.
There is talk of the assembling Of the con-
gTess in Mexico some time next fall.
The attitude of the United States Gov
ernment toward this project has been one
of reserve. for. though cordially approving
the projected congress. the State Depart
ment has consistently avoided taking any
conspicuous part in the movement and es-
pccially has refrained from influencing the
preparation of the programme 1t is pro
posed TO demonstrate practically 20 the
other American Republics that in this con-
gress the United States will stand on an
exact equality with the smallest Of them.