The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1909-02-20
MEXICO AND
CANADA JOIN US
Movement TO Save American Re-
sources Begun Today.
MFETING IN WASHINGTON

President Welcomes Foreign Delegates
In Address. Declaring Importance Of
Joint Efforts 70 Save Wealth Of Con-
tinent For Future Generations-con-
ference an outsro~th Of Two For
ner Conventions In National Capt.
tol-Wiu Sc In Session Three Days.
Washington. Feb. 1S-Union Of the
United States. the Dominion OF Can
ada and the republic OF Mexico in the
movement 10 conserve the natural re
sources OF the continent Of North
America is the purpose Of the Joint
conservation commission which began
its sessions at the state department in
this city this morning Taking part
in the conference are delegates from
the two neighboring countries. the ma
tional conservation commission OF the
United States which recently reported
20 President Roosevelt and representa-
tvos of the state department
The Hon. sydney Fisher. minister OF
agriculture in the Dominion cabinet. is
the leading Canadian representative.
The chairman Of the Mexican delega-
ton is the Hon Romulo Escobar. for
mer minister of agriculture OF Mexico.
The foreign delegates to the confer
ence We're received at the White
House by the president. who express
ed his pleasure at the acceptance by
Canada and Mexico Of his invitation
~ n.s snrr,s
the Importance OF the work Of conser-
walton. declaring that it transcribed
the boundaries Of the three countries
and depended on their cooperation
He called attention TO the report OF the
United States commission and assert
ed that further Efforts were needed to
make the work already accomplished
OF benefit 10 the nation He asked the
foreign delegates to Join with this
| country's commission in the formula
ton of Il plan whereby the natural re
| sources OF the continent in lands. wa
tiers. forests and minerals may DO
wisely conserved for the benefit OF fu-
ture generations.
Three Days Conference.
II is expected that the sessions OF
the conference will last three days.
While in this city the Canadian and
| Mexican dele Sates will be the recipi-
ents Of numerous social attentions. en-
tertainments having been planned in
| their honor by their own countrymen
| and by many 81 the high officials OF
the United States government.
| President Diaz. OF Mexico: Earl
| Grey. the governor general OF Canada.
and SIR Wiitrid Lauricr. the premier
Of the Dominion. are greatly interest
et IN the work OF the conference and
have written TO President Roosevelt
expressing their interest.
The conference is the outgrowth OF
the two conservation conferences held
in Washington in which the governors
Of the states and territories were the
/ principal Conferecs. At the second con-
ference. IN which. on Dec. s. President
Roosevelt and President Elect Taft
participated. representatives Of the
Canadian government were present.
and they expressed interest IN the con-
| servation movement
To Consider Mutual Interest.
Out Of that and the general interest
the people % the United States are
showing in the subject grew the idea
/ of a North American conference TO
consider. in the words Of the presi-
dent, mutual interests involved in the
conservation of natural resources and
to deliberate upon the practicability
Of preparing a general plan adapted
TO promote the welfare OF the nations
concerned"
Clifford Pinchot chairman of the CON
servation commission. was sent by
President Roosevelt TO Ottawa and the
City Of Mexico TO deliver in person In
vitations TO the conference.