Evening star., 1902-01-27
PAN-AMERICAN CONFERENCE,
Points Made i'm nm Address by N
John barrett.

AdOreBS Dy
John Barrett.
Mr.. John Barrett, delegate of the United
States to the Pan-American conference,
and former minister to Siam, delivered an
address before the students of the Column
bian University Schools of Law and Diplo-
macy Friday afternoon. Among other
things Mr.. Barrett stated that the results
of the Pan-American conference will not be
fully appreciated until after its adjourn
ment Then it will appear beyond questi 1n
that the friendly relations between the
United States and her sister Latin repub-
lies have been greatly improved by its ses-
sions.
The conference, he said, will mark a dis
tinct advance in the development of the
Pan-American idea. If this great inlerna-
tional gathering had broken up in discord
as its enemies hoped, the Pan-Amer: IAN
idea might have been killed. or wounded
beyond recovery for the next quarter of a
century. By holding together, despite radi-
cal differences, and thus thwarting the en-
emies of Pan-Americanism, the delegates TO
this international gathering inaugurated a
new era in the relations of the nations of
the western hemisphere.
When the PanzAmerican conference as
sembled in Mexico" Mr.. Barrett stated,
'the pendulum of feeling in Latin America
toward the United States hung evenly be-
tween confidence and suspicion. 1t was
ready to swing either way. The attitude of
the Unfted States government and of the
United States delegation was one of stead
fast, unyielding fairness and impartialsy
through the entire proceedings. From .he
first the United States delegation refused
all temptat tions to dominate or dictate
what should be done, but acted in a spirit
of sincere friendliness and Of hearty CO.
operation. AS natural result the ,,endu-
lum has swung over to the side of conf
dence rather than to increased suspicion.
The neutrality of the United States IN the
discussion on the vital issue of arbitration
which, but for this neutrality, might nave
accomplished the breakup of the confer
ence, enabled the United States delegation
to stick peg, as 1t were, under this pen
dulum and hold 1t on the side of confidence
in the United States. From this position
we all hope it may never swing back.
THE friendfiness of the South American
delegates to the United States was attested
by their insistence on the vice presidency
of the conference going toex-Senator Davis,
the chairman of our delegation When he
steadfastly refused to accept this honor
unanimously rendered, the conference en-
Enthusiastically named Secretary Hay as one
OF the honorary presidents, the other being
Mr.. Mariscal. the Mexican minister of ror-
eign affairs. This was a genuine TESTING
nial of respect for Mr.. Hay whose name is
now almost as we'll known in Latin Amcri-
ca as that Of Mr.. Blaine President Roose-
velts declarations on Pan-Americau oues-
tions were well received by the Latin
American delegates and materially helped
the United States delegation.
The conference was made up of the
ablest men from the countries to the south
Of us. President Diaz, whose statesman
ship is recognized the world over took a.
deep interest in our proceedings. fhe hos
pitality of Mexico was lavish. Although ar
bitration was the chief issue. important res
olutions were passed on an intercontinental
railway, an international bank, the inter-
oceanic canal. the bureau of American re-
publics, better sanitary regulations, recI-
procity. copyright, practice of the learned
professions. international court of claims
louisiana purchase exposition and kindred
subjects.