The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1911-02-14
CONFERENCE
Being Held At Washington
This Week
Expected To Be Of Far Reach
ing Character
In Trade Relations OF The
American Republics


of trade among the republics of North
and South and Central America are
expected to follow the Pan-American
commercial conference, which began
five days session in Washington to-
day. The conference, 1t Is expected
will be particularly productive of
good results on account of the opening
of the Panama canal within compare
lively short time.
President Taft addressed the open
ing session of the conference which
was held this afternoon In the auditor
ium OF the magnificent new building
of the Pan-American Union, formerly
known as the International Bureau
of American Republics The Pan
American Union made the arrange
ments Tor the conference and its di-
rector, John Barrett, occupied the
chair at the initial session.
In one respect the attendance at the
opening differed noticeably from that
at almost any rational or international
conference that has met in the nation
al capital in years. This was the small
representation of so.called public men.
Among the five or six hundred dele
gates present there were scarcely a
dozen :len whose faces or even whose
names are familiar to the general pub
lie. The president, one or two mem
bers of his cabinet and several Con
gressmen were on hand to take part
in the opening proceedings, but the
main body of delegates was composed
of business men and men who have
made trade and commerce their life
study.
Commercial organizations In nearly
all the large cities of the United States
we're represented. Diplomats and
consular ofiicials we're there to tell the
results of their observations on the
conditions and possibilities Of trade
In the southern republics where they
have resided and these republics In
turn were represented by their diplo-
matte and consular officers accredited
to the United States.
The opening session of the confer
ence was devoted to welcome and re-
sponses and to addresses outlining
the purposes Of the gathering. Sena-
tor Root OF New York and Representa-
tive Champ Clark of Missouri were
among the speakers, as was also John
II. Farrell, the new president of the
United States Steel Corporation.
Tomorrow morning the real business
of the conference will be taken up In
earnest. Formalities will be dispen-
sed with and the delegates will in
dulge in the free interchange of views
on wide range of subjects relating
to Pan-Amerlcen trade and its devel-
opment. The main subject will be
discussed from all viewpoints. Not
only VIII the opportunities of theUni-
ted States to extend the. sale of its
products In Latin America be con
sldered, but the export trade of the
Latin American republics to the Uni
ted States likewise will receive atten-
ton.
Among the matters relating to inter
up for discussion during the next four
days are steamship routes, samples,
credits. trade marks, banking faclli-
ties, packing, advertising, catalogues,
tariff regulations, and tho laws of the
various countries governing statesmen
and samples
John Barrett tho reputation OF being
probably the hest-posted man in the
United States on everything relating
to Mexico and the republics of South
and Central America, will tell the con-
| ference of the commercial benefits
that the west coast of South America
may expect 10 reap from the opening
OF the Panama canal. Henry l.. James,
who like MIR. Pepper is one of the com
meroial experts of the Department Of
State, will also speak on the CONNER
cial situation on the west coast, with
especial reference to the countries OF
Peru and Chile. Mack IL. Davis. an,
other prominent representative of the
State Department, will speak on the
trade relations with Latin Amerlce in
general
Charles shcrrell, United States min.
ister TO Argentine, will tell the confer
ence what tho United States must do
IL she ropes 10 overcome the lead of
her commercial rivals, Great Britain
and Germany, In the great South
American republic. Other represen.
tatives of the United States diplomatic
corps who are scheduled to address