New-York tribune., 1900-03-19

continent. On many sections Of this survey
trains now in operation; others rails
have been laid, and others now being graded
II IS expected that next year another impetus
VIII be given to the project, and that all the
gaps will be filled within a decade. The health
OF the continent, especially concerted measures
TO keep bubonic plague out Of the New World,
will undoubtedly be studied by the conference
as one of the important objects which
now require aggressive cooperation at every
port from Halifax around Cape Horn to ST.
Michaels.
The necessity for an American banking sys-
TEN has long been obvious to every merchant
having dealings between any two of the Ameri-
can republics and efforts Will be made to cor
rect this almost insuperable obstacle to trade.
Uniform customs methods and standardized
statistics along identical lines in each republic
are recognized as exceedingly desirable. and
nothing is more probable that in many particu-
lars the established institutions of the United
States viii eventually furnish the pattern for all
America
METHOD OF SETTLING DISPUTES.
The organization Of q permanent arbitral tri-
bunal limited in it's jurisdiction TO the Aneri-
republics, but of such comprehensive char
acter as to assume the settlement of any dis
pute. whether Of boundaries. injury to citizens
or more serious controversies confined to this
gether there cannot fail to be topics enough
FOR several months consideration Whether
any Immediately practical results are reached or
not. the benefits of such discussion. it is be-
lieved will be incalculable, especially sub
eeouent conferences will he forthcoming TO
take up unfinished business and eventually to
succeed in substantial progress. Under any
circumstances the conferences cannot fail con-
tinuaIly to bring the republics closer together
into o-,1 in hot
alone they must prove of tremendous moral
effect This moral achievement is regarded Of
value not only among the countries partcipat-
ing directly in the conferences. but as empha-
sizing the determination of the entire Continent
to support the United States in holding Europe
at arms length in any effort, however insid-
ious to find pretexts for depressing the weaker
republics for gaining any degree Of doinina-
tion over them.
At the close of the Mexico City meeting 1t
will be proposed that the conference adjourn for
two years instead OF sine die and that the next
meeting be held in Montevideo Buenos
Ayres. 1t is possible that system of biennial
sessions may be adopted, and that all the capt.
tails will in be selected for the sest tons,
the ultimate intention being that an annual
congress will be established.
THE ADMINISTRATIONS VIEWS.
In view Of this actual and projected develop
nent or the American idea the following extract
from the Presidents last message to Congress
takes a significance:
The interest taken by the various States form
ing the International Union of American Re
publics in the work of its organic bureau is
evidenced by the fact that for the first time
since its creation in 1890 all the republics of
South and Central America are now represented
in IL.
The unanimous recommendation of the Inter
national American Conference providing for the
international union of American republics
stated that it should continue in force during a
term of ten years from the date of its or
ganiZation, and no country becoming member
of the union should cease TO be a member until
the end of said period of ten years. and unless
twelve months before the expiration of said
period ma ajority of the members of the union
had given TO the Secretary of State of the
United States official notice of their wish to
terminate the union at the end of it's first
period. that the union should continue to be
maintained for another period Of ten years
and thereafter under the same conditions for
successive periods of ten years each.
The period for notification expired on July IA