The San Francisco call., 1901-12-23
THE PAN-AMERICAN CONGRESS

10 far as immediate results are concerned the
Pan-American Congress may be accounted
- futile meeting. 1t has given its sanction to
schemes for a Pan-American bank and a Pan
American railway, neither of which is likely to en-
gage the attention OF capitalists for many year to
come 1t has indorsed several other plans and pro-
posas which, like the railway and the bank will be
of little practical value just now Upon the great
and dominant issue of the time that of providing for
system OF international arbitration that would put
stop to the that disturb the southern CONT
nent and Central America it has not been able to
accomplish anything The failure in that effort
means virtually the failure of the session as a whole
By one of those condolences which unfortunately
are not infrequent in human history, the effort
establish peace among the nations of South and
Central America has fallen upon time when their
disagreements are extensive and acute. The stua-
ton between Colombia and Venezuela became criti-
cal about as soon as the congress was called, and
has become more and more threatening since.
Lately the controversies between Chile and Argen-
tina have reached such degree OF bitterness among
the two peoples that war appears almost inevitable
In Argentina the people have begun assembling in
mass meetings, denouncing further negotiations and
Clamoring for war.
The rivalries of the larger States have stirred the
smaller ones War between Colombia and Venezu-
fight between Argentina and Chile would set the
Peruvians marching to regain the territories which
they claim Chile unjustly wthholds from them
Something like general conlagration of war is
therefore imminent throughout Latin America, and
under such conditions the delegates the congress
at the City Of Mexico have found themselves unable
to do anything Of immediate value to the cause OF
peace the promotion OF industry and trade
Fortunately the value of earnest effort in right d-
rectons> is not to be measured wholly by imme-
diate results. Something has been gained for the
welfare of Latin America by the mere fact of bring
ing their delegates together in common congress
to discuss measures for mutual good This congress
is the result of that called by James c. Blaine to
in 1885, and from it there will be sure to come
another congress- By degrees the people of the rival
states may learn to look to these congresses with
confidence which will give them strength to act
firmly 1t may be many years before there is formed
in South America public opinion sufficiently wide
spread and resolute to sustain a joint congress in
any pronounced programme for the pacfcation of
the continent but in the end that much to be desired
sentiment may be formed
The people of the United States are NOT Indifferent
to the Pan-American situation. We are aware of the
immense benefits which would accrue to the people
of South America we'll as to ourselves by the es-
tabshment of peace and the promotion of American
trade. The influence of Government will there
fore be steadfasty directed toward helping the peace
party. The completion of the interocean canal will
give a immediate and direct interest in their
affairs and consequently augment the value of our
efforts for peace and prosperity We may look upon
this congress- then as but one in series that is to
be prolonged far into the future 1t will not be wholly
fruitless Bad is the outlook now its results NAV
be found good when their value is measured by the
moldng it in the direction of general peace and in
dustry.