Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-09
Combined Action Made Possible.

measures similar in character and thor
oughness should be adopted in both coun-
tries.
Combined Action Made Possible.
Through the international sanitary con-
vention the way was paved for securing
| combined action through the highest au-
thorities of both nations. A plan of oper-
atoms having been prepared in the bureau
of the public health and marine hospital
service, broad in character and definite in
| detail, approved by the President so far
as expenditures from the appropriate fund
were concerned, by the Secretary of the
Treasury as to the application of the FUND
| and the scope of the work to be under
| taken, and by the Secretary of State as to
| it's relations to neighboring republic, L
| had the honor of paying visit in January,
| 1904, to our distinguished eonfrere DR.:
| Liceaga- president of the superior board
| of health of Mexico.
Il pleased to find that practically
| the same plan, both in scope and detail, had
already been proclaimed by the Mexican
authorities, and there was difficulty in
determining upon conjoint and concurrent
action. President Diaz and his secretary
of state expressed their interest and ap-
prevail AS d result there was practlcally
no yellow fever in either republic during
the ensuing season. description of the
methods employed will doubtless be given
by the delegates from both countries.
This incident is but one of many which
might be cited to show how effective may
be the work of sanitation when carried on
by friendly cooperation between Two ma
tons each inspired by friendly feelings and
a desire to protect the other as well as
itself.
BY International Agreement.
This idea of sanitation by international
agreement is but of the evidences that
all nations are today more nearly related
than ever before in the worlds history. Said
a recent writer: Not only has the narrow
firth been practically abolished, but the
wide ocean is traversed by passenger ships
in five days and by thoughts put into
words in a few seconds. All the world has
become one neighborhood SO far as relates
to distances In no manner has this been
more strikngly shown than in the war
fare against contagious disease But
few years ago violent epidemic of yellow
fever in Cuba would excite no more than
passing. notice. while today the news of
one or two cases anywhere on the httoral
of our western hemisphere would be imme-
diately communicated to the United States
and other countries
"a few cases of bubonic plague in the
orient which a few years ago would re-
ceive no attention are instantly reported
and published, and one case of cholera on
a ship in the Mediterranean is telegraphed
to the principal cities of the world Inter-
national congresses, conferences and con-
ventions are frequent, bringing the nations
together as one family in the struggle
Peace Conferences and Arbitration.
I'VE hear much at the present time of
international peace conferences and arbi-
tration treaties. Is 1t too much to expect
as a corollary, or as parallel movement,
that there should be ultimately co-opera-
ton of all nations to eliminate COMMUNE
cable disease? International sanitation
might we'll be considered an adjunct to
the movement for universal peace. 1t might
prove less difficult of achievement than alb
solute arbitration, or it might be made
powerful influence in establishing the lat
ter.
with this growing sentiment of har-
mony and fraternity among the nations
there should be developed an international
sentiment regarding sanitation and sup
preston of disease If, as Tolstoi says the
only substitute for war is religion, interna-
tional sanitation would be a powerful weap-
on in the hands of religion. If, indeed, 1t
could not in itself be made a substitute
for war 1t surely would furnish a plane
upon which nations might meet and a more
worthy object than war for the expenditure
of energy and money.
II have before given expression to some
of these thoughts, but have deemed them
particularly appropriate to this occasion.
1t remains for me only to express the
hope that this second convention will be
fruitful for good; that it will bring us still
nearer together, and make us all feel that
the interest of one country Is In reality the
interest OF the others, most particularly IN
matters relating to the public health"
Secretary Roots Welcome.
DIR. Wyman then introduced Secretary
Root, who said in part:
''It is pleasure and an honor in behalf
of the government of the United States to
extend to you the good wishes of this gov
eminent for success in all your efforts. 1t
is the wish of the United States to forward
the work of peace and harmony among all
people. l do not know that the individual
intellect among men Is any more powerful
today than 1t was 1000 years ago, but the
cooperation of effort makes possible
achievements now that would have been
impossible a few generations ago. You
your predecessors.
81 believe wars as a rule have sprung
from lack of understanding between ma
lions, and nothing can contribute more to
the good relations and good understanding |
that ought to exist between all the people |
sonal meeting of you gentlemen In pur-
suance of the important work with which |
you are charged"
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Tay- |
lor also spoke, saying that, while the con-
vention is not so large some that have |
met in Washington, 1t is second to none In |
the Importance of Its work. He felt all the |
of the convention, inasmuch as 1t was not |
its mission to cure men after they became
sick as to prevent their getting sick
through proper International sanitary legis-
lation.
Foreign Countries Represented
Minister Quesada of Cuba was then in
fr<xl r,ef <f,f<t y.,.k 1T