The times., 1901-06-09

- Dissension and discord exist among the
representatives OF several of the South
American countries in the Confederated
Union of American Republics. and unless
the breach already made is healed during
the next few months fear is expressed
that the aims and purposes Of the pro-
posed Pan-Americau Congress, which is
10 be held in the City Of Mexico in De
cember, may be defeated. In that event
it is probable that the Bureau Of Ameri-
can Republics which the union has main
tanned for ten years. and whose work has
been SO highly beneficial to the Latin
American countries. as well as to the
United States. will cease to exist Friends
of the bureau and those who are closely
identified with the movement for i second
Pau-AmeTicau conference are, however,
optimistic and declare that the differ
ences viii soon be adjusted and that an
auicable understanding Will he reached
whereby each of the nineteen American
Republics will be represented at the COM
ing congress.
The trouble which threatens to disrupt
the plans for the Congress Is the out
growth Of the boundary dispute between
Chile and Peru and involves the question
OF arbitration. This in itself is an i'm
portant one but there are many others
OF equal and even greater Importance
which the conference, if it meets, will
have to consider. The question Of bound
airy between these two South American
countries is one in which they alone are
interested. but it is the principle involved
in the subject of arbitration as proposed
in the tentative programme mapped out
for the consideration of the congress
which has brought forth protests ard
threats of withdrawal on the part of Peru
and those countries which view the mat
ter from her standpoint.
When the first international conference,
which was held in this city eleven years
ago. was called the Invitations were issued
by the United States, and the legislative
act of Congress, providing for the enter
tainmenJ OF the delegates and the issu-
anee of the call defined in explicit terms
the fun scope Of the convention. The
meeting resulted, among other things, IN
the organization, as the organ Of the
union, Of the Bureau of American Repub-
lies. which has successfully carried
on its work since that time.
In his last message to Congress the
president called attention to the fact that
the time was approaching for another in
ternationaI conference, and the suggestion
was acted upon by the calling together
OF the representatives Of the various Re
pubIics in the union and the formation
OF a tentative programme. At the first
meeting Secretary Hay, by virtue of his
office as Secretary Of State, presided. The
plan proposed was chiefly outlined by the
Executive Committee of the union, con-
sisting of the representatives Of Colon
bia. Bolivia. Costa Rica, and Ecuador,
after consultation with Mexico out of
courtesy because of the fact that that
f- 70, e-,T.r --afr 2 Fa 4 oil
The rules Of the union provide that the
Executive Committee shall consist Of five
members selected from the various Re
publics alphabetically according to the
countries they represent, with one change
being made each year, and also that
the Secretary of State Of the United
States shall always be a member. In view
OF the fact that this Government took the
Initiative in the plan for the first con-
ference, it was decided to allow the other
countries TO have full sway in the ar
rangement for the coming congress and
the preparation Of the programme. Ac-
cordingly Secretary Hay remained away
from all but the first meeting, which was
a preliminary one, and the plan proposed
was entirely the work Of the Latin Ameri-
can countries.
The invitations which contained the
programme decided upon were sent out,
however. by Mexico. and responses in /
dicatinE acceptance We're received within
due time from each Of the Republics rep
resented in the union with the exception
Of Chile. Uruguay, and Brazil. In the
case Of the latter country no action was
taken one way or the other, but Chile
asked for explanation and elucidation of
certain points, chiefly upon the subject
of arbitration. These were given to the
effect that the conference would not
prejudge existing conditions. and that its .
scope was 10 be prospective, and not ret /
respective. In other words, Chile under /
stood by the explanation that whatever /
action the congress took or whatever de- /
cision was agreed 10 ir the matter Of /
arbitration. that X would have no effect /
or bearing upon her dispute with Peru, /
as that is q matter Of several years /
standing
Peru interpreted the explanation TO |
mean that unrestricted arbitration was 10 /
be q feature Of the progra amme. and that /
whatever decision was reached upon this
subject should apply TO future conditions.
and not 10 those already existing II IS
pointed out that no change was made in
the programme as has been reported. but
that il was left entirely as had been
agreed 10 by the Ministers. and only
elaborated upon and made clear The
explanation has proven satisfactory 10
Chile, but quite the opposite to Peru,
which country is now said to have an
nounced her determination not to par
tiC.pate IN the conference, notyvithstand-
Ing the fact that she has already formally
accepted the invitation
The matter has been Of late quite freely
discussed by the various Ministers from
the South American countries and Secre-
tary Hay. The latter has, declined, how
ever, o become drawn into the contro-
Fersy other than TO lend mis- best efforts
toward an amicable settlement OF the difi-
guilty Secretary Hay maintains that the
programme was prepared by the Latin
American countries without any sugges-
ZION or interference on the part Of the
United States and that this country is
willing to abide by whatever agreements
may be reached upon the subject by the
other countries. There are so many other
important questions 10 come up before the
conference that this Government feels
that il can III afford 70 lose the beneficial
results Of the congress because Of
minor disagreement over a boundary line
between Chile and Peru.
The victory which Chile has seemingly
obtained is being especially commented
hpon by reason Of the fact that she has
but recently become a member Of the
union. For years she declined to become
a member of the confederated Republics
and fl was not until a number of conces-
sions were made 20 her that she finally
came in little more than three years