The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-07-22
TO PROMOTE PEACE
CONTINUED from page ~

uniformity of customs regulations so far
as the different business methods of the
various countries would admit. The
Bureau Of American Republics was Great.
ed and j. now doing useful work. An
advance was made toward general re
ciprccity, thought the project has even
yet failed to reach fruition. A monetary
commission was had with sensible bene-
fit to the currency relations Of the
American republics. The metric system
moved ahead another step, being au-
thorized in the customs service of the
United States and other countries. These
were all valuable achievements, but there
was more to be done and the conference
recommended that the work be carried
forward by another congress.
What 'or-'oa Conference Did.
This second conference was held in the
City Of Mexico. in l90l-02, and while
many of its recommendation have not
yet been generally carried into effect
this second gathering also was produc.
tive of good. What was accomplished
was this: The approval Of Guatemala, |
and Honduras of all the % in. |
struments signed at The Hague; the ap- |
proval of the United States Of the con-
vention for the exchange Of publications;
the treaty on pecuniary claims and the
scheme for the reorganization Of the
Bureau Of American Republics; the ap. |
proyal by several Of the South and Gen.
trail American nations of some Of the
most important of the treaties proposed
by the second conference; subsequent
congresses which adopted regulations for
the improvement of customs relations;
sanitation of American port cities and
the regulation Of the coffee growing in.
lnstry. But this conference also left
behind it unfinished work, hence the
gathering at Rio today. The City Of
Mexico conference felt that the l0-year
period proposed by the original confer
.nce for the holding of such family
was too long and proposed a
Obstacle of Drago Doctrine.
So the Rio conference opens under the
most promising auspices with the pur-
pose of considering a program fully
equal in Importance to that which was
aid before any Of the preceding gath.
,rings. Injected into this program, after /,
t had been practically completed at
meeting of the international
committee held in Washington last
Winter, was one like Article IV-that
$ perhaps likely to give rise to more
controversy and excite more feeling and
,e generally of greater Importance than
my other article. This concerns the in
eresting Drago doctrine, itself an out
rowth Of DR.. Calvo's famous dictum,
n yolving the right Of nation to use
orce in the collection from other nations
# public debts. In the program this [
axes the form Of the proposition to
llow The Hague Conference to deter
nine this important question, and as
many of the South American debtor ma
ions are bitterly opposing to allowing
he creditor nations of Europe to pass
pon this vital doctrine, a bitter dis
ussion is expected when the subject
ONES before the third conference.
Conference to Last Six Weeks.
With only six weeks life before it, for I
is specially provided in the program I
hat the conference must terminate not a
lter than September next, it is also '
United to 30 meetings and it is probable
hat not even this number will be held,
ecause the delegations must have time
0 deliberate privately over projects
hat are Of special interest to them. q
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