Los Angeles herald., 1909-11-13
PAN-AMERICAN
CONGRESS WILL
TRY FOR PEACE
UNITY OF INTERESTS is AIM
OF BUEN0S AIRES MEET
UP-To-DATE PROBLEMS WILL BE
PLACED BEFORE DIPLOMATS
Even Wireless TeIegraphy and Aerial
Navigation VIII Be Discussed
at the Fourth Con-
ference

w fourth of a series of great con-
ferences that are Strengthening
the bonds between the republics of
the western hemisphere is to be held
in Buenos Aires, Argentine Republic,
between next July 10 and 20, and al
ready the Argentine government,
which is to be the host in this case
has been doing much to prepare for the
meeting.
The date originally fixed for the
fourth international conference of
American states was May 20, 1910, but
the fact that a great exposition was to
be held in the same capital in that
month, which might overshadow the
Importance of the international confer
ence, led to the postponement of the
latter. Moreover the month Of July,
being in the middle of the Argentine
winter, is certain to make the visit to
Buenos Aires more agreeable to the
delegates from the north.
The governing board Of the bureau
of American republics already has dis
patched to every South and Central
American capital a tentative program
of the subjects to be considered by the
conference, and the various foreign
offices have been at work upon this
with the purpose of submitting objec-
tions or suggesting amendments Much
progress has been made and it is hoped
that it soon will be possible to promul-
gate the final program, which, accord
ing to present indications, will not vary
considerably from that prepared by the
board of governors.
Will Discuss Arbitration
The subject of compulsory arbitra-
tion will come up again at the coming
conference. While The Hague confer
since accepted this in principle, ii de-
cined to recommend a general treaty
Of arbitration, though strongly urging
to the states represented the making
of special treaties among themselves
to carry out the idea. The United
States already has done this with
eleven of the other American republics,
and the subject will come before the
fourth conference and receive further
encouragement at the beginning of the
proceedings, when each delegation will
be required to report what action has
been taken by its respective govern
ment to carry out the wish Of the third
conference.
Another project broached at pre-
ceding meeting which will be again
threshed out will be the establishment
of steam navigation lines connecting
the principal ports of the American
countries, on the basis of a uniform
system of contract.
Bureau to Be Continued
The bureau Of American republics Is
to be strengthened and continued for
another ten-year term of life at the
least, and It is hoped that the commits
sion of international jurists Will be
able to report something in the nature
of a code of international law that
Will be adopted for the government of
the American republics in their dip
lomatic relations. If this report is
satisfactory, the fourth conference
will embody in a treaty this basic
code, which is expected to have the
happiest results in the settlement OF
any disturbing questions that may
arise in the future between the re-
publics.
The Pan-Amercan railway, postal
rates and parcel posts. a uniform sys-
TEN of collection of census and com
mercial statistics and consular meth
DDS, supervision of food supply, the
protection of the public health, and
the regulation OF rates of international
exchange are other matters left by
preceding conferences for the consid-
GRAFTON of that which is to meet at
Buenos Aires.
Aerial Navigation Included
New and up-to-date subjects are
wireless telegraphy and aerial navi-
cation. for it has begun to be realized
by the governing board that there
soon will be need of regulations for the
government of these new modes OF
communication and travel. An effort
also will be made to arrive at some
sound basis of regulation of foreign |
immigration and naturalization and to |
define real neutrality in time of war.
An effort will be made to obtain the
cooperation of all the Pan-American |
states with the Argentine national
centenary commemoration of inde- |
pendence. Most Of the centenaries |
fall in or around 1910.
The success of the interchange of |
and students between |
American and European universities
has resulted in the projection Of a plan
for a similar exchange between the
American republics, and finally ar
will be made for general
participation of the republics in the
ceremonies attendant upon the open
ing Of the Panama canal.
Peace Prospects Bright
The prospects for a successful con-
ference are bright, in the opinion of
the officials Of the bureau of American |
republics. one cloud that threatened |
was the breach of relations between |
and Bolivia.
1t is believed that even If the efforts
now making to re-establish these re-
lations should prove abortive. yet, as
the host, Argentina on this occasion
would regard herself as the represen-
tatlve of all the American republics
and, waving all personal considera-
tons, gracefully extend to Bolivia the
invitation which would secure the at
tendance of her delegates at the con-
ference.
San Francisco Is Sanitary