The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-04-01
THE PAN-AMERICAN MOVEMENT.

AfhI< III Il
Two events will occur during the pres
ent year to mark the increasing friendli-
ness, or. to use a French phrase, the
r'approchement. of the republics of North,
Central and South America. These are the
Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo. which
will open May l, and the international con-
ference of American republics to be held
at Mexico City next October. Both events
are the natural though somewhat slow out
growth of the international conference cf
American states held at Washington in
October. 1889. This conference became
known as the Pan-American Congress. 1t
was held on the invitation of the United
States, and included representatives from
seventeen states of Central and South
America and ten from the United States.
The congress was called TO discuss plans
OF settling international disputes and also
of establishing closer commercial relations
and extending trade between the various
countries. Before assembling as a congress
the delegates were taken on a tour of the
country to give them an idea of the extent
and resources of the United States. On
that tour they visited this city and were
handsomely entertained here. After trav-
cling 6.O0O miles they returned TO Washing
ton, where the congress remained in ses-
sion several weeks. It's proceedings result
ed In extending a knowledge of the COM
mercial states of the various countries and
the publication of an extensive series Of
aohotos oo9 recommendations II o1co ro-
suited in the establishment of the Bureau
of American Republics. with headquarters
at Washington, which has been very serv-
iceable in collecting and distributing infor-
nation concerning the American republics.
The P~an-American Exposition at Buffalo
is expected TO draw the interest of all the
North and South American nations. The
Congress of American Republics to be held
in Mexico City will be very much like that
held in Washington in 1889. II is called by
the Mexican government. which has appro-
priated $4,000 for the purpose of enter
tanning the delegates. and will act as host
on the occasion. as this government did at
the first congress. \An of the leading South
American republics have already appointed
delegates to the congress. some of them
including their ministers at Washington,
and President Mckinley has just appointed
five delegates 10 represent the United
States. With the experience OF the former
congress and the widening knowledge Of
recent years il is probable the results OF
this second congress will be even more in
teresting than those of the first one.
The significance of this movement is its
| tendency To bring about a better political
among all American republics. The ac-
complishment of this result mas been facill-
tated by the final expulsion OF Spain from
the western hemisphere. Her possession
Of Cuba gave her a sort Of prestige and
leverage by which she was able 10 perpetu-
ate a good deal OF her traditional influence
over the South American republics AMI
even to some extent in Mexico. But even
that slender cord is now severed. That
Spain is reluctant TO surrender this infu-
ence and that she still INDUCES some hope
Of re-estabIishing it is shown by the fac.
that at a conference of Latin-American
states recently held in Madrid. on the in
vitation OF Spain. she made very friendly
overtures for the establishment OF closer
relations with them. 1t is not likely these
overtures Will succeed. for in the light OF
current events the South American states
must see that their true interests, political
as well as commercial, lie in cultivating
! closer relations with the great Republic OF