The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-30
WORK 81 THE RIO CONFERENCE.
DEygGATES SPENT FIVE WEEKS
IN SURPRISING HARMON.

"a nefore 1911, Probably at BuenOs Ayres.
RIO DE JANEIRo, Aug 3T.-From the
no,nt OF view Of the American Government
he third Pan-Americnn conference, which
had its closing session tonight, has been a
yreat success, principally because 1t came
70 a peaceful end after Ave weeks Of Ok
is,ence without a single serious disagree
,osnt. This, more than anything else,
-as what was most desired. and It's attain
ment is gratifying.
Put il was no easy task TO sail around the
rough and dangerous places. and the Ameri-
can delegates, together with those OF other
countries who c~ooperated, were at times
hord driven TO hold down some Of their
latin American colleagues who had doc
,rrnes and theories Of their own with an
intense desire to launch them upon the
.oa Of International politics with due cere-
mony. There are many who are disap-
rointed with the conference on the ground
that. aside from perhaps one or two ques
lions of more or less minor importance,
there we're no definite conclusions, and
nothing whatever discussed openly which
had a diplomatic or political character.
Il is true that there was no open dis
'crssion Of great diplomatic or international
~nolitical questions which would attract the
attention Of the world. but by those who had
the preponderating influence 1t was thought
that the conference had 10 business taking
nm these questions. Those Of the delegates
who thought to bring them forward were
held in check.
But Notwithstanding this lack Of definite
conclusion on some subjects. the conference
has been a success. There has beer har-
monv on all sides. This alone IL an achieve
ment worth all the work. worry N trouble
Secretary Root had in bringing the gather
ing about. Practically all eof the various
conventions, resolutions and motions were
adopted unanimously. There was scarcely
even a reflection. in the open discussion at
least. Of the jealousies and differences which
are prevalent throughout South America
and which are constantly coming to the
surface. This very spirit Of harmony
stamps the conference ~ successful. A
gathering composed principally Of dele
gates from Latin American countries. prac-
tcally all with differences OF more or less
seriousness. which can pass through I'VE
weeks Of life and then end with harmony
can well be termed a triumph.
Furthermore, there is to be q fourth
Pan-American. Provision for 1t was made
by the conference just ended, n Is per-
haps one OF the most important steps taken.
Not only was provision made for another
conference, but work was outlined for
the future gathering. which makes certain
that it will be more important tina any
20 far held. There have now been three
Pan-American conferences. The first was
merely a foundation. The second, Eve
years ago, was full OF strife. The third.
Just ended, was as full OF harmony as the
second was Of disoord, and there is al open
way for future conferences which assures
their success. The conferences, by the
successful conclusion OF the third, will
hereafter be held regularly. The basis
has been firmly established, and It has been
demonstrated that the gatherings can be
held with great benefit to all OF the coun-
tries. Even IL certain questions considered
by some az OF great importance are elimi-
mated from the programme, the mere asso-
ciaticn for a period Of weeks Of repre-
sentative ca of the nations Of h hemisphere
is bound to be beneficial to all.
The success OF the present conference Is
due to the labors Of Secretary OF State
Root. It was not in Rio that pitfalls and
snares we're avoid ed, but It was in Washing
ton several months before the conference
was convened when b programme was
made. There we're many serious discus
sions between Secretary Root and the
diplomatic representatives OF the various
conference countries and moro than once
It seemed that IL would be impossible to
reach an agreement. Argentina wanted
provision made for the Drago doctrine in
a certain way which some other countries
could not accept. Other countries wanted
other features set forth in a particular
manner and II took many weeks to reach
a conclusion. But when this had been
accomplished the programme wa a good
one. Not only providing for discussion
Of questions important to all countries and
containing in some form questions Of par
ticular interest to several Of the nations,
the programme was also 70 worded and
framed that II strictly followed disagree
ments and q~uarrels were most unlikely.
Having a programme which contained
no hidden trouble, regulations were adopted
witch made it difficult to digress from 1t
1t was necessary to provide, OF course, that
any country might introduce new matter
and this was about the only danger point
but the efforts OF the American and othei
NclcBdUeb III INC OOuloEouCo prONouOCo YAK
Introduction Of new matter which might
bring about trouble, or, IL q delegate In
sisted on departing from the programme
the sending OF the new subject to the com
mittees on general welfare, the graveyard
OF the conference. Thus the conference
began on July %, and continued until Thu
evening. There has been no open discus
sion Of questions. It has all been behlnc
closed doors in tho committee rooms
When a committee had finished With
subject, reaching a conclusion In tho form
Of a convention, resolution or motion, |
was laid before the conference. On . few
occasions amendments were offered on tn
floor.
In the case OF the Drago doctrine opel
discussion was impossible, inasmuch a
every country was represented In the com
mittee. Thus when the committee haC
reached an agreement on q resolution IT.
adoption by the conference was merely
matter Of procedure. IL was the same Ii
the natter Of arbitration. The commit
Tees on other subjects, however, weir
smaller, some having seven or nine, o
perhaps a dozen members. In such case
thnrn uvara a1..Nla. .A..-.ao.kaA 10