Evening star., 1901-10-24
on on the Right Foot.

This expression by the Pan-American
congress yesterday shows a practical ap-
probation of the prime object of the meet
ing, and promises we'll for success all along
the line:
Whereas, the American International
Conference in Mexico considers that peace
IS the first condition of prosperity and ma
tional progress: that progress between the
states represented in this conference is in
dispsnsable in order that their work should
have the result that IS sought; that this
conference, invoking its common origin,
historic traditions, and solidarity of inter-
ests Of the republics of Colombia and
Venezuela, considers it opportune to dis
cuss a friendly and deferential word to the
governments of the countries before men
toned in order to prevent any sad conflict.
which, in the present circumstances, might
alter the cordial relations between these
sister republics; now, then, be 1t
Resolved, first, That it convey its de-
sire that the governments of the republics
referred to. inspiring themselves in senti-
rnents already expressed, may reach an
equitable and rational agreement of their
present differences
Second, That the president of the con-
gresS be authorized to transmit to the
spective governments this resolution in the
hope that ii may be received in the same
spirit of cordiality and Difference in which
1t has been inspired"
The only objection offered to the resolu-
yet sufficiently organized to make a formal
suggestion on the subject proper. But this
was not accepted. The congress, 1t Is
true. has but entered upon it's labors, and
the whole question of arbitrating govern
mental disputes is yet to be discussed.
Still. arbitration is booked for discus
siCn, and the appointment of a board like
ly to be recommended. the congress has
done well to take cognizance Immediately
of a conspicuous case where arbitration is
both feasible and desirable. What better
start could have been made than this
prompt move to bring the influence of the
congress to bear on the only armed dis
turbance now existing in this hemisphere?
The backwardness of the Central and
South American republics is ascribed in
large part to the instability of their gov
ernments. They are off with the old and
on with the new in a jiffy. You retire at
night under one government and wake up
next morning under another. And of course
people swift and excitable In dealing
with their domestic differences are liabls
to a manifestation of the same spirit In the
matter of foreign affairs. AS a result two
states fly at each other quite as readily as
two parties in the same state. This makes
against investments and prosperity, and
ing to submit differences between states to
arbitration, our southern neighbors will
take long step toward banishing revolu-
tion in the matter of domestic disturb
ances-
The strength and the influence of the
United States are found as we'll In the
stability of the government as In the area
and resources of the country. Our domes-
tic campaigns are fought as iercely as
those Of any land Party spirit Is at ali
times high. But the government Is never
shaken We have met in forty years four
severe tests. Three times the head of the
state has fallen by assassination. but in
every instance the people met the shock
without giving a sign of panic or disorder.
We passed through the Hayes-Tilden con-
test without a battle. Beyond the rawlings
of few blatherskites in Congress and the
revilings of a few sensational newspapers
there was little excitement to mark the
great Importance of that issue. We have
some right therefore to advise In a friendly
and respectful way our southern neighbors
ON the subject, and to speak at once for
stable home government and for peace be-
tween governments