Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-10-28
THE PAN,AMERIcAN CONGRESS.

THE PAN-AMERIcAN CONGRESS.
There are great hopes Of the results to
be had from the Pan-American congress
which convened in the City of Mexico
last Tuesday. This is the second meet
ing OF the kind and had the effect Of
bringing the United States and the South
American republics into closer relations.
There is reason to believe that the pres
ent congress win be even more practical
and more effective.
The former congress was arranged by
James G. Blaine about ten years ago
while he was secretary Of state. AT that
meeting the whole subject Of international
relations was considered and an arbitra-
ton treaty was formulated which the
ministers of nine South American govern
ments signed. subject to the approval Of
their separate governments. Chile re-
fused to enter into that general agree
ment. protesting against compulsory arbi-
tration and has given notice that she will
adhere to that policy in the present con-
ference il an attempt should be made to
extend compulsory arbitration to old dis
putes or pending questions.
Chile's reason for taking this position
is that she will under no circumstances
yield her claim in her famous Tacna-
Ariea dispute with Peru.
This dispute originated In 1879, when
Chile. being hard pressed for money,
..s-na sn,o yfoh ~gtrate ba5e an the Darn
Wan provinces of Tacna and AFRICA under
the color Of an alleged title dating a
long way back.
1t was clearly a case of might makes
right" and war resulted. Chile found
Peru an easy victim. In 1883 a treaty Of
peace was established by which it was
provided that the provinces Of Tacna and
africa should remain in Chile's possession
for ten years. the inhabitants then to de-
eide their nationality by vote. 1t was
also decided that the country to which
the final possession of the disputed pro-
vinces was awarded should pay the loser
100000 Chile, on one pretext and an
other, has evaded the settlement of the
question though that should have been
had eight years ago. This matter will
certainly be brought before the congress
in some form or other. but it is not prob
able that Chile will agree to abide by a
decision that she knows full well viii be
against her. On other questions a. even
more general importance the congress
viii probably be able to agree.
Among these are uniform port and Gus
toms regulations. development of better
methods of communication, the establish
ment Of a permanent court of interna-
tional claims and the reorganization of
the International Bureau of American Re
publics.
Our country ought to be able to use
this great opportunity to increase her
South American commerce largely.
In the last ten years our imports from
South America have decreased from sl1s.-
100000 a year to Sl1O.OOO.OOO.
Though our exports to South America
have increased in that period s11,OOO.OO0
they stin amount to only the compare
lively small sum of si4.OOOO 900.
The trade Of South America is increas-
ing steadily with England and Germany.
Those countries sell many millions of
good to South American countries which
should be supplied by manufacturers in
this country.
The Dingley tariff act crippled our trade
with South America terribly by taking
hides on the free list where they had
been for 30 years and imposing a Is per
cent tariff on them. This change was
made at the behest and for the benefit of
the cattle trust which has contributed
enormous sums to the campaign funds of
the Republican party.
Another blow at our South American
trade was made by the Dingley act when
It laid heavily increased duties on wool.
This has not benefited the wool producer
at home who gets a much lower price for
] his product than he received before the
Dingley tariff went on.
BY cutting down our imports from
South America we have prevented the in
| crease of our sales in that country, for
nations will not buy literally where they
cannot also sell literally.
| Our delegates to the Pan-American con-
gress win doubtless be profoundly inn
pressed with the costly folly of our COM
mercial policy toward South America.
THE FAVORED FOREIGNER.
The protected interests in this country