The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-12-04
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 arrange
ments for the conference to the govern
ing board Of the bureau Of American
tives of all the American 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 at Rio de Janeiro, continuing from
the 23d Of July to the Goth Of August
Many subjects Of common interest to
all the American nations were dis
cussed by the conference, and the con-
of resolutions and proposed conven-
tions, will be laid before you upon the
coming in of the final report of the
American delegates. They contain
many matters Of Importance relating
to the extension of trade, the increase
Of communication, the smoothing away
of barriers to free intercourse, and the
promotion of better knowledge and
good understanding between the diff
ferent countries represented. The
meetings of the conference were har-
reached with substantial unanimity.
Quite apart from the specific value
of the conclusions reached by the con-
ference, the example Of the representa-
tives Of all the American nations en-.
gaging in harmonious and kindly con-
sideration and discussion of subjects
of common interest is itself Of great
and substantial value for the promotion
of reasonable and considerate treat
ment of all international questions.
In many parts Of South America
there has been much misunderstanding
Of the attitude and purposes Of the
United States toward the other Ameri-
can republics. An idea had become
prevalent that our assertion of the
Monroe doctrine implied, or carried
with it, an assumption Of superiority,
and Of a right to exercise some kind
of protecterate&4 over the countries to,
whose territory that doctrine; applies.
Nothing could be farther from the
truth. Yet that impression continued
to be. serious barrier to good under
introduction of American capital and
the extension of American trade. The
impression was so widespread that ap
parently it could not be reached by
any ordinary means.
It was part of Secretary Roots mis-
sion to dispel. this unfounded impress
sion, and there is just cause to believe
that he has succeeded.
In my message to you on Dec. S,
1905, [ called your attention to the
embarrassment that might be caused
to this government by the assertion by
foreign nations Of the right to collect
by force of arms contract debts due by
American republics to citizens Of the
collecting nation, and to the danger
that the process Of compulsory collec-
ton might result in the occupation Of
territory tending to become permanent.
/ then said: F@"-
'Our own government has always
refused to enforce such contract obi
cations on. behalf Of it's citizens by an
appeal to arms. It is much to 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 resolution was adopted by that
conference recommending to the re-
spective governments represented fto
consider the advisability of asking the
second peace conference at The Hague
to examine the question of the compul-
sorry collection Of public debts, and in
general, Z means tending to diminish
among nations conflicts Of purely pc
cuniary origin. i" i