The Washington herald., 1906-12-05
The Rio Conference.

The Second international Conference Of
American Republics held in Mexico IN
the years 1902. provided for the holding
OF the third conference within FIVE years.
and committed the fixing Of the time and
place, and the arrangements for the cor
ference to the governing board of the
Bureau Of American Republics, composed
OF the representative OF all the Ameri-
can nations in Washington That board
discharged the duty imposed upon it with
marked fidelity and painstaking care, and
upon the courteous invitation of the
/ United States Of Brazil, the conference
was held al Rio de JaneiTO. continuing
from the 23d Of July to the 2sth of Au-
gust last. Many subjects Of common in
ysIest 10 ali the American nations were
discussed by the conference, and the con
clusions reached. embodied in a series Of
resolutions and proposed conventions,
viii be laid before you upon the coming
in Of the final report Of the American del
egates.
incidentally TO the meeting Of the con-
ference, the Secretary Of State visited the
city Of Rio de JaneirO and was cordially
received by the conference. of which be
was made an honorary president The
announcement Of his intention TO make
this visit was followed by most courteous
and urgent invitations from nearly all the
countries of South America 10 visit them
as the guest Of their governments il
was deemed that by the acceptance of
these invitations we might appropriately
express the real respect and friendship in
which we hold our sister republics Of the
Southern continent. and the Secretary,
accordingly. visited Brazil Uruguay, Ar
gentiua. Chile, Peru Panama and CO.
lOmbia- He refrained from visiting Para
quay. Bolivia, and Ecuador only because
the distance Of their capitals from the
seabOaTd made it impracticable with the
time at his disposal. He carried with
him message of peace and friendship
and Of strong desire for good understand
ing and mutual helpfulness: and he was
everywhere received IN the spirit Of his
message
In many parts Of South America there
has been much misunderstanding Of the
attitude and purposes of the United
States toward the other American re-
pubiics. An idea had become prevalent
that our assertion of the Monroe doctrine
implied or carried with il. an assump-
tiOn Of superiority, and OF q right 10 ex-
ercise some kind of protectorate over the
countries TO whose territory that doctrine
applies.
1t was part Of Secretary Roots mission
10 uiHIel THIS AulpNndeN impression. ana
there IS just cause 10 believe that he has
succeeded.
In my message 10 you on the 9Th Of De
cember, 1895. I called your attention to
the embarrassment that might be caused
to this government by the assertion by
foreign nations of the right 10 collect by
force Of arms debts due by American re
pubiics 10 citizens Of the collecting na-
ton, and 10 the danger that the process
OF compulsory collection might result in
the occupation Of territory tending to be-
come permanent I then said:
Our own government has always re-
fused to enforce such contracJuaI nhliga-
tions on behalf OF its citizens by an ap-
peal 10 arms. II is much 10 be wished
that all foreign governments would take
the same view"
This subject was one OF the topics OF
consideration at the conference at Rio.
and a resolution was adopted BY that
conference recommending to the respec-
tive governments represented "to con-
siCer the advisabilty Of asking the sec
ond Peace Conference at The Hague to
examine the question Of the compulsory
collection Of public debts, and In gen
eral. means tending to diminish among
nations conflicts Of purely pecuniary
origin"
This resolution was supported by the
representatives, OF the United States.