Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-10-22
SOME FEAR Of CHILE
The pan.American Congress at
Mexico City May Not Prove
Harmonious.
Questions Of Arbitration and the
Monroe Doctrine Will
Come Up.
United States Likely to Make
Concessions to Chile. Mexi.
co and Brazil.

| Mexico, Oct. 22-Two of the most i'm.
! portant questions which will come be.
fore the Pan-American congress- which
will soon assemble in the great hall OF
the national palace, are those of arbi.
tration and the Monroe doctrine
| The former is a very delicate one, in.
volving as it does three South American
republics-Chile,P Peru and Bolivia-anG
may cause the disruption of the con-
gress, as Chile's attitude in this matter
is causing considerable anxiety
There is a dispute over the ultimate
recovery by Peru of the two provinces
wrested from her by Chile. Both coun-
tries assert that the war was forced up
on them. However just this may he, the
fact remains that the "Aisace and Lor-
raine" of South America yield heavy
annual income to Chile, and Peru is nat
uraliy anxious to call this plum her own
again.
This question will certainly come UP
before the congress for settlement.
Chile declines to take any part in the
congress If this question or arbitration
is in any sense of the word "retroac-
tive"
To quote her minister to Mexico, Sig
nor Bello's words, "Arbitra ton WAS I'M
derstood to be prospective, that is, such
differences as may arise between the
American republics subsequent TO the
ratification of a treaty of arbitration
which the conference may approve, and
that in no manner would 1t be re.roac-
tive
Chile is prepared for war, Peru is not.
Therefore the question of arbitration is
violently opposed by the former except
under the conditions above quoted, and
warmly advocated with no restrictions
by the latter.
I 1t is thought by those who are.watch-
ing the matter carefully that Chile is
destined to become the center of stormy
scenes in the Pan-American congress.
1t is inferred that President Roosevelt
is Of the opinion that the United States
should defend the principle of compul-
sorry arbitration.
1t is said that the United States will
avoid cispleasing Chile. Mexico and
Brazil, and. If disposed to make con-
oessions, Will make them to these three
states. 1t seems probable, however, in
view of the conflicting interests repre-
sented in the congress, that it may not
come to a general agreement. and that
it may end in divisions more profound
than those existing.
An American attached to the diplo-
matte corps utters the following words
in reference to the second question
which will occupy the attention CT the
congress-:
.srhe Monroe doctrine has come very
much to the fore. European papers are
talking about the possibility of Its BEING
challenged by Germany. The stake Is
important. the prize for Europe enor-
nous, for 1t means the possible con-
quest of South America and its colonlz-l
alton, and for the United States it
means immensely enhanced prestige in
case of the successful maintenance of
the doctrine and corresponding loss in
the event of its failure.
Signor Ignacio Mariscal, minister OF
foreign affairs in Mexico and president
of the congress, says:
I'VE are not ripe for arbitration; when
we are 1t will come. The fact that our
army is being increased and that we
have ordered new battle ships should
prove that we believe in the necessity
of such measures.
THE Monroe doctrine is great doc
trine and should be upheld. But you
have a man In the white house now who
viii! force that issue to the bitter end
should any occasion arise.
The chief interest, however, not only
of Mexico but of the other pan-Ameri-
can states, is centered in the coming
struggle between Chile and Peru. and
speculation is rife as to what Chile will
do upSl the opening of the arbitration
question.