Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-02
SANITARY CONVENTION
Delegates Represent the
American Republics.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
OPENING ADDRESS BY DIR. wy
MAN, PRESIDING OFFICER.
Secretary Shaw and Assistant Secre-
tary Hill Welcome the Visitors
Proceedings Today.
TOPICS DISCUSSED

o CLOCK l0lS morning III the HOi III Aoii u eAAS
New Willard, when the delegates from the
South American republics and from the
various cities In the United States were well
coined in addresses by Secretary Leslie M.
Shaw of the Treasury and by Assistant Sec
rotary of State David j. Hill. DR.. Walter
wyman,, surgeon general of the Marine
Hospital service, presided and delivered the
opening address. Among others who spoke
at the opening session were Senior Don
Manuel de AZpiroZ, ambassador from Mex
leo, and Senior Don Gonzalo de Quesada,
minister from Cuba, who comprise the COM
mittee of the governing board International
Bureau of American Republics, under
whose auspices the conference was held.
The session this morning was rather OF
an informal nature after the opening ex-
ercises, and a recess was taken at 1l:3o
o clock when the delegates visited the
Capitol to attend the session of Congress.
At 3 o'clock this afternoon the members of
the conference reassembled for a business
session. The organization OF the confer
ence will take place and officers of the con-
ference will be elected at this meeting.
In his opening remarks DIR. Wyman stated
that he thought the meeting of represent
atives Of American states last winter In
the city of Mexico marks a new era in the
progress Of civilization in the western hem
isphere.
THAT conference" he said, Gin addition
TO other wise measures. provided in'various
ways for the closer affiliation of our Amer
lean republics. 1t provided for an inter-
national conference upon customs. an inter-
national coffee commission and an inter-
national conference upon sanitation and
quarantine. Of these none Is more impor-
tant than the conference upon sanitation
and quarantine, in which we are to take
part.
Protection Against Disease.
mo topics of greater Importance than
those which will be considered by this con-
ference; for protection against the inroads
of disease and the providing Of such en-
vironments of man as will enable him to
cultivate the highest standard OF health,
are the bases of our physical welfare and
enjoyment, as well as Of our intellectual
enjoyment and moral uplifting. Health,
cleanliness intellect and morals might well
be the motto of this conference.
THE resolutions passed in the City OF
Mexico wisely provide that these confer
ences shall be annual. This is, therefore,
the first of a series of annual pilgrimages
to the shrine Of Hygeia, to be continued
until conditions have so changed that they
are absolutely no longer necessary. 1t was
further provided that when this conference
ends the results of it's deliberations are to
be taken up by an international sanitary
bureau, which shall, in the interim between
the conferences, further, with all its power,
the measures which we here shall formally
advocate.
He mentioned the character Of the DELHI
erations that would occupy the time of the
conference in this city and spoke of the
benefits that could naturally be expected to
result from the conference, after which he
introduced Secretary Shaw.
Secretary Shaw's Address.
81 never studied medicine and never had
1t practiced upon me to any extent said
Mr.. Shaw in the beginning Of his address.
1T is science that know nothing about,
and therefore l will not be expected to
ma lie R,,S 7 oil lad 70
come the delegates to this conference.-the
representatives Of other republics and also
those Of the various elites in this country
to the capital city Of the United States, and
! hope your deliberations may result in
much good
II remember very well the time when a
lawyer was considered great when he
succeeded in extricating his client from
compiled tons and difficult situations after
he had gotten into trouble; but the success
full lawyer now Is the one who prevents his
client from getting into complications.
II remember the time when the physi-
clans principal ambition was to cure the in
dividual case of disease, and little atten-
tion was paid to it's spread among others,
but now the physician endeavors to protect
others from the epidemic as well as to cure
the case on hand One of the principal OBJ
jects of the physician of today Is to take
precautions that will hold disease in check.
These changes in methods of practice tndt-
cate that there have been great improve
ments in medical science as well as in me-
chanical and industrial science
Il am hopeful of the good to be accom-
plished by these conferences, and l wish
you representatives of the American repub-
lies all manner of success in your endeavors
to keep our respective peoples from the eff
1ects of disease The calling TO serve others
IS one of the highest objects of mankind
That is especially the calling of physician,
and since this conference has for its basis
the benefit of Others / am doubly glad to
welcome you here at the beginning Of your
deliberations
Cordial Solicitations.
The Secretary was obliged to leave imme-
diately after his remarks, but he was greet
ed with loud applause by the delegates
Mr.. Hill was the next speaker, and among
other things he said:
II am glad 60 extend to you the cordial
Balutations of the Department Of State and
TO wish that your sojourn in this capital
city may be most pleasant and profitable
When the first conference between the
American republics was proposed fears
were expressed that it would never come to
pass, but those fears have now been dis
PEELED and benefits are already apparent
What we need between these republics ia a
CLOSER contact, a n1ingbng with one another
IN the discussion OF questions Of mutual
vital Importance l am glad to that tho
conference in the City OF Mexico has al
ready borne fruit and that such meetings as
this are TO be continued.
Mexico and the United States has Just
recently had the great satisfaction Of set
Ting question full of difficulties by arbi-
tratton. So friendly and so amicable have
been our feelings in this matter that l
might say was almost sorry my own coun-
try did not have to pay the bill. l hope the
Gay is forever past. and believe 1t is when
differences between the American republics
shall have to be settled by force of arms
In the territory OF these republics we
nave all the zones OF production. The
three Americas are sufficient unto them
selves. and while we want the friendly re-
gard OF and business relations with other
nations. yet there is a significance in the
fact that we have all we need within our
own boundaries without crossing the
oceans. The time is coming l trust, when
we will be in still closer physical and moral
touch with each other and this is TO be
hoped for.
Disease is enemy that would destroy
us. and II must be fought with intelligence
The old terrors and visible enemies of man
kind in these countries have been prac-
dcaily destroyed. We have no fears any
more OF wild animals or savages. The
bears that once were such a formidable
enemy Of the inhabitants of this country
have been eXterminated. Indeed, so COM
pletely have they been exterminated that
when the President OF the United States
went on a recent hunting trip for bears he
was unable after diligent search to find a
single sDecimen of the tribe and had to re-