New-York tribune., 1900-05-30
PAN-AMERICAN CONGRESS.
PROGRAMME FOR THE MEETING IN
MEXTCO PREPARED.
TOPICS OF GREAT INTERNATIONAL M
PORTANCE PROPOSED FOR DIS
CUSSION AND ACTION.

PORTANCE PROPOSED FOR DIS
CUsSION AND ACTION.
Washington, May 29-The Executive Com
mittee of the International Union of American
! Republics has Just completed tentative pro-
gramme to govern the projected conference of
! American republics to be held in the City Of
Mexico. The programme has been embodied in
a circular, copies OF which have been furnished
to the Ministers in Washington of the American
republics in order that they may be transmitted
at once their governments for amendment
and approval. The Executive Committee was
of opinion that the conference should Sc
lect from the subjects which considered
by the former conference, which met in Wash
| ington, those which of the most Importance
at the present time, and that it should study
the new subjects which may be submitted to it,
With this object in view the following pro-
gramme is proposed:
First-Subjects discussed by the former con-
ference which the new conference may decide to
consider.
standardization
Third-International Court of Claims.
Fourth-Measures for the protection of indus
the means of communication between the coun-
tries composing the union; consular, port and
customs regulations; statistics.
Fifth Reorganization of the International
Bureau Of the American Republics.
ANALYSIS OF THE PROGRAMME.
Regarding the first head the Executive Com
mittee found that the programme of the first
conference probably was too extensive. Ger
tainly it embraced everything possible, and no
subjects, except those above enumerated,
can be brought before the coming conference.
The practical results of the first conferences,
though limited in number, are declared to have
had great significance, and it certainly fur
f1,era aud nod rIr1Ia stan he
tween the American nations Practical results
We're the Monetary Conference of 1891, the
vey of the Intercontinental Railway and the
compilation and publication of the Code of Com
mercial Nomenclature.
Arbitration, the second topic, while discussed
by the first conference. it is declared, not
treated it should have been and certainly
not as it might be in view of the progress made
toward the solution of that important interna-
tional question by The Hague Peace Conference
The International Court of Claims is
tirely subject. AS indicated by the title, it
is proposed to create permanent tribunal for
the settlement sound and uniform principles
of all claims arising between the American re-
pubcs
The fourth head is very comprehensive and
important. 1t is felt that by mutual action much
be done to further industry agriculture and
commerce by proper legislation. and by direct
exchange of commodities between the countries
represented in the conference. The development
Of means Of communication will probably-or at
least that is the intention-invove the congress
in discussion of the ship subsidy question,
from which will result it is hoped, uniform
practice in expending these subsidies that will
avoid duplication of service and other unneces-
sary expenses while securing regular and suff-
cient steamship communication between the
ports of the American republics
The commercial world is said TO be deeply
;,,ta in Tf,n Io~ pn,
Customs Regulations under the fourth article.
Here the purpose is to secure, so far possible,
uniform classification Of merchandise; similar
methods-ad valorem specific-in the imposi-
tion of customs tariffs, and uniformity of the
customs and consular regulations so far as thls
can be achieved The committee feels that
there is little need of emphasizing the recCmmen-
datiOn that the subject Of statistics be consid-
cred, with q view TO securing accurate fgureS
relative to trade, transportation and other mat
tiers of vital interest to the American republics
on which to base future action.
The reorganization of the present Interna-
tonal Bureau of American Republics is proposed
with a view to providing an executive arm for
present bureau was unable to give effect to many
of the conclusions reached by the first confer
ence. Therefore it is proposed to authorize and
empower the bureau to act as representative
Of the congress. after its adjournment, to carry
forward its projects within we'll defined lines
in addition TO its present important duties. With
a view to fastening action on this project,
motion of Minister Calvo. the chairman Of the
Executive Committee, Director Rockkill.
instructed prepare a plan of reorganization
TO be submitted to the congress.
THE DATE NOT YET SETTLED.
The date for the meeting of the congress 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 dispatches TO the Governments of the re-
publics invited TO the conference, asking for an
answer to the invitation. and should their an
swers be affirmative, requesting them to author
ize their representatives in Washington by cable
to designate the place and time of holding the
conference. II is expected, therefore, that the
important question of date will be speedily
settled There is talk Of the assembling Of the
congress in Mexico some time next fall
The attitude of the United States Government
toward this project has been one of reserve for
though cordially approving the projected con-
gress. the State Department has consistently
avoided taking any conspicuous part in the
movement, and especially has refrained from
influencing the preparation of the programme
1t is proposed to demonstrate practically to the
other American republics that in this congress
the United States will stand on exact equality
with the smallest of them.