The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-07
THE BUREAU or AMERICAN
REPUBLICS.

WASHINGTON. Feb, e.-An international
Conference Of the Republics Of the Western
Hemisphere was held in 1870. One of the
results Of this meeting was the establishment
OF the Bureau of American Republics. The
object Of this institution was tho dissemin-
! alton of informal ton, notably in regard to
commerce and industry, for the purpose Of
drawing all into closer rela tons az result of
better acquaintance The United States APP
! propriates $50 coo year toward its mainte-
nance, and the contributions of the Latin
American republics approximate $4,000
a year. The value OF the bureau thus far
is somewhat problematical. It's potential
value is great.
The Hon. w. w. Rockhil has been the
director OF the bureau aimee May, 1890.
He has at least made it dignihed and re-
spectacle. but it has not yet attained that
aggressive activity which it might and
should display Mr., Rockhil's work has
been faithful, but his special interest has
been China and not Latin-America. bis
appointment 10 Pekin will place him in the
work of his desire, and will give the United
States a most useful and valuable agent in
that important field His transfer opens the
gate TO an opportunity.
Our trade with La tin America shows
constantly increasing volume and impor-
lance, Our sales now amount to si60 900 900
a year; our purchases to about $500, coo 600
Tho total purchases of the area approx
mate $3.50 900, coo year. or more than three
times our sales While IL Is man ifestly i'm
possible for us to secure the entire trade, it
is easily possible for the United States 10
double its present sales and eject an APP
proximate equality In trade balances. The
Bureau Of American Republics stands as
channel through which, energetically adj
mnistered, very much may be- done in that
direction Controlled by director having
knowledge of and practical experience with
these neighboring republics, with their
people, their needs and their language, this
bureau can do much toward effectng an
increase in trade and tho establishment of
closer trade relations
Thus far the work of the bureau has been
chiefly routine. 1t publishes o Monthly
Bulletin, which is useful. but which is also
broadly open to changes and improve
ments which would make it vastly more
useful. During the last year it has issued
a group of handbooks of various countries
represented in the association. These con-
tain a great deal of valuable information
relating to the geography natural resources,
laws, economic conditions, and the actual
development of the different countries with
which they deal. But the work OF the
bureau is passive rather than active. Its
special need is an aggressive director,
familiar with the field and keenly interested
in the work. In the hands of such "a man
the bureau could be made force which
would abundantly justify the expense OF
its maintenance.
No appointment has yet been made to
fill the post soon TO be vacated, although
several names have been mentioned as pos
sible successors of MIR. Rockhill Mr. W. E.
Curtis, a well known newspaper CORE
spondent, has been among the number
He is undoubtedly qualified for the position,
but has announced that he does not want it.
Mr.. W j.. Scruggs is said to bean applicant
for the post. He served for four years as
United States Minister to Venezuela, and
is an authority on the affairs Of that particu
lar country. He is rightly entitled 10 con-
sideratiOn as a candidate. Another posi- |
biity is Mr.. Charles NJ Pepper who is rec
ognized as an authority on the whole area
from Mexico and the West Indies TO Pata-
gona, and has visited all the different |
countries in various capacities, official and |
unofficial. He was member Of the Pan
American Commission which met in Mexico !
city in 1901, and recently made an extensive |
South American trip as a special commits
sioner reporting to the State Department
on the Pan-American railway.
In the hands Of a properly qualified |
director, the Bureau Of Republics could be
made helpful force. Both politics and |
personal friendship should be eliminated
from the consideration, and the appoint
ment made with no other view than that of |
special fitness