The Washington times., 1902-01-04

NOW lHdThS Jonn barrett, VINO ICcCntl,
returned to Washington from the inter
national conference Of the Pan-Americai
States, to which he was delegate from
this country. Mr.. Barrett has been United
States Minister to Siam. and is soon Il
assume the discharge of his duties a.
Commissioner 10 Asia. Australia. and the
Philippines for the Louisiana Purchase
Exposition. II was because of this rev
| office ih5t he left the conference before
| his colleagues. Mr.. Barrett is Il man ol
wide experience, and keen observer Of
Inca and aifairs.
| Americans in Mexico.
Two remarka bic facts outside OF the
| conference impressed me most strongly -
said Mr.. Barrett yesterday. One was
the great material prosperity OF the Mex
lean Republic, the progress she is making
| in all lines OF Industrial activity, and the
second was the very important part which
Amo ri5ans--I mean men from the United
States-are taking in the development OF
Mexico. There has been a great influx
of capital from the States, and Americans
are leading factors in the affairs OF the
country; in mining, railroad building,
manufactures, and agriculture.
The City of Mexico is destined to be
one OF the worlds great capitals a sec
oni Paris. 1t mas an American colony of
nearly 5000. We saw The city at some
disadvantage because of the upheayal in
ciieEt to the improvements which are be-
ing made on = large scale.
Elaborate. UosuitpIity
The entertainment provided for the
delegates was very elaborate, and their
reception most cordial and hospitable.
Odiciany and socially, everything was
done that could be dene. The Nexicans
realized that the conference was perhaps
the most important gathering ever held
at their capital, and they spared no effort
to extend every courtesy. We were
shown through every department of the
Government. went upon excursions to the
large plantation visited the plants OF the
leading industries. were given receptions
and :;anquets, and, in short. everything
vas dche to make our stay there both
pleasant and profitable.
our meetings were held in the Treas
ury Department OF the Palace, and the
facilities and advantages afforded were
superb Fully si000 900 was expended in
fitting up the conference hall and proyid-
ing Cor our convention.
ni:x n Most Remarkable iInn.
President Diaz and his charming young
wife directed and assisted in the prin-
cipaI functions Mr. Diaz may well be
classed as one of the most remarkable
men OF The three Americas. AS SO many
men in our own country have done, he
has Iscn from the humblest rank, and
Tor hearly twenty years has guided the
destinies OF the Republic and has brought
it TO its present advanced state of de-
yeIopmert. Though seyenty-two years OF
age. he is still active to remarkable de-
gree.
He has been sometimes regarded al
an aEtocrat, but he is aUtocratic only in
the sense Of maintaining firm and strong
hand gpCn the affairs of state. Personally
he IS the most democratic OF men, and
unconventional in manner. He walks and
criTs5 about the streets and parks uGat-
tended. and at social gatherings he min
giles with the people with q freedom and
case that makes everyone feel not only
comfortable but happy.
bIen uf Highest CaIibre.
as Tor the personnel of the conference,
the delegates from Mexico and South ana
Central america were men CT the highest
calihre: each country seemed to appreciate
July the importance OF the gathering by
ending 10 the congress its ablcst states
men and diplomats. Personally their re-
lations were most pleasant. although the
work of the conference vas to some de-
gree handicapped because OF the interna-
tional differences between many OF the
South American States, which caused them
to regard each other with more OF less
suspicion.
Not outstanding the benefits OF the |
cannot be everest mated and
It's results win be seen as soon as there |
is an opportunity Tor the working out OF |
its agreements. The delegates from the |
[ jnited States occupied a neutral position |
upon the matters directly affecting the |
affairs OF the Latin-Anierican countries. |
and the conference fully appreciated the |
stand which We took.
Question of Arbitration.
THE question of arbitration was. of
curse. one Of the most important. and |
he outcome viii be that the clause adopt
ID in The Hague convention viii be adopt
ID with an American protocol, and there
Will probably be a supplemental agree
nent on compulsory arbitration among
iuch of the countries as may decide to
inter into such an understanding The
United States could not join in Il move
nent either for or against compulsory
and hence remained strictly
The result was TO create a very favor
ble impression among all of the dele
,ates toward this country and to
trengthen the feeling among all of the
0uth and Central American countries
hat the United States desires what is best
or their interests; that we do not want
o domineer, but rather aid to promote
ricndly interests and advance the general
'clfare of Pan-America.
An important matter considered was
he establishment of an international
ourt of claims, which, in view of the
rowing interests between this country
nd its neighboring republics. is very es-
ential.
Ppn-Amcrican Railroad Project.
I'VE also discussed 4 an-American
abroad project; that is, a system of rail-
ay connections which will link the cities
T the United States with all the capitals !
7 South and Central America. and the |
which are necessary to enable |
tilroad builders to continue construction.
hich will in the end mean that one may
D by rail from New York or San Fran ,
SEQ to any large city in South and Cen
al America.
"Other topics were an international ,
INK with branches in large American
ties. in Rio Janeiro. Buenos Ayres, San ,
ago. and elsewhere, which shall be q
caring house for Pan-American trans I
,tions; also, the subject Of uniform quar- S