The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-07
THE PROGRAMME or THE PAN
AMERICAN CONFERENCE.

ONi @AI' $3.50
Of the Pan-American conference at RiC
Janeiro is announced. 1t includes matters
OF interest and importance, although there
is perhaps only one Upon which any APP
proach to definite and final action can bt
taken by the body itself. The remaining
thirteen subjects are for consideration anc
recommendation.
The proposal to arbitrate international
disputes will probably meet a general APP
proval, but it is quite sure to strike a snae
in the Taona-Arica dispute between Peru
n Chile. There would probably be sup
port Of q proposal to arbitrate all questions
which may arise hereafter, but a measure
which would be retroactive in it's operation
would probably cause a division. Chile
does not seem disposed to meet the pro-
visions Of Article III. of the Treaty Of Ancon,
and Peru is not quite strong enough to com
pei her to do 80. Chile would be quite In
disposed to make this a subject Of arbitra-
ton. She is in possession and desires to
remain 80. The principle Of arbitration
has already been recognized in the settle
ment OF South American boundary dis
putes. In 1878 President Hayes settled the
Argentina Paraguay line. In 1899 United
States Minister Buchanan settled the Chile
Argentina line In three days by a decidedly
novel method, Whether it was by an
arbitration or an arbitrary process, there
is little doubt that President Cleveland in
1897 settled the Venezuela boundary mat
ter. There are not many OF these boundary
questions left to arbitrate, but interna-
tional disputes are perennial, and arbitra-
ton is an excellent method Of settlement.
Another question for consideration con-
Germs the use Of armed force in the collec-
ton Of c~ontractual obligations. The es-
Enlistment OF the so-called Drago or Calvo
doctrine would probably have two results.
1t would make irresponsible and corrupt
Administrations more anxious TO borrow,
and make financiers less willing to END
But the principle involved Is entirely sound,
and the United States has observed it until
the recent Venezuelan incident. No COM
bination Of money gamblers and political
scamps should be supported by the naval
and military force Of any country. The
maxim Of cdpedt emptor should hold in
international finance as 1t does in the COM
mercial world.
The one item on the programme upon
which it seems possible for the conference
to act definitely and finally relates to the
international Bureau of American Repub-
lies. 1t is proposed that this be reorganized
ION a more permanent basis, enlarging and
improving the scope NJ efficiency Of the
institution" By the act under which this
bureau was created its management is in
the hands Of the Latin American diplomats
in Washington. The United States is rep
resented by the Secretary of State 1t is
nrololla fhat -,opy ~ thaaa rorraaanto-
tives will serve as delegates to the confer
ence. Any action taken by them this sum-
mer is likely to be made effective by action
when they return to Washington.
This little known and rather wasted en-
terprise costs about $50 900 a year for its
maintenance. The United States pays
$50 900 Of 1t and the balance comes from
the twenty Latin American republics. The
work of the bureau has been largely con-
to the custody Of a not very we'll
arranged library and the publication of a
monthly pamphlet which comparatively
few people ever sec and fewer ever read.
A considerable part Of the contents Of the
pamphlet is taken at second or third hand,
and much of it has already been made
public several weeks, and not ~infrequently
months, before it is sent out by the
bureau. Salaries consume three-ffths Of
the appropriation. Some fairly useful ref
erence handbooks of nine of the republics
have been issued and two more are said TO
be in preparation.
For the work lone by It this is not a profit
able institution, and there has been not
a little complaint among the various coun-
tries contributing to its maintenance. There
s little or no need of charging its scope,
but there is great need of increasing its
efficiency. The relations Of the republics
Of the Western Hemisphere are broadening
every year. Many of these countries are
showing a remarkable economic develop
nent, and the outlook for political stability
permanent peace %brightens with every
year. Mexico, Argentina, Brazil,
Cuba, Peru and Chile are notable examples
IF this, while Central America is crowding
hem as a close second. Bolivia and CO.
ombia are struggling into a new life, and
Paraguay is undergoing a national regener-
In all this vast upward movement,
n the extension Of trade and In the dis
of important information the
Bureau of Republics could and should be
a powerful force. 1t is encouraging
learn that the matter 10 to be given care
consideration.
Latin America is fast coming into a
life, and in that life the United States
8 only less deeply concerned than are the
,arious countries themselves. Any Ameri-
ar time or American money spent in bind
ng the Western Hemisphere in closer rela-
ions is an excellent investment.