The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-11-01
81 sUMTER s C. sATuRDAY NovEMREP 7o7a
TRADE RELATIONS DISCUSSED
SOUTHERN MEN TALK OVER
LATIN-AMERICA PROBLEMS.
Talk OF the Canal-Mlich of COnsid-
Grafton Devoted to Developments
Attendant OH Opening of Water
way.

Mobile, Ala, Oct. 2S.-How to
strengthen trade relationship of the
United States with America
upon the completion of the Panama
canal was tn, problem to which the
Southern Commercial congress, in
session here, today devoted much at
tention. The American view, express
ed by John NJ. Parker, honorary
president of the congress, was that
the business men of the United States
would realize the urgency Of "a closer
and more intimate acquaintance with
the actual wants of Latin-America
rather than with what we think
Latin-America should have"
FREDERICK Alfonso Pezet, represent
ing Peru, said that America, by send
ing to Latin-Amcrica more students
OF business conditions, would more
nearly approach the success Europe
has in trade ventures there.
In three sessions today the con-
e;ress heard many suggestions of
means to fortify the American busi-
ness man againt competitors, who, it
was declared, would share the advan-
tages of the canal. Senior Pezet as
serted that Peru practically was in
position to gain by the opening, even
more, he said, than was the usually
expressed belief, and that the great
advantage in this country to be gain
ed from the canal lay with the South
ern States rather than with the Pa
fic coast.
At the first convention of the wo-
mems auxiliary to the congress they
adopted resolution opposing an
amendment to the federal constitution
granting women the vote.
The resolution favored adoption OF
woman suffrage "by means that will
preserve to the States the inalienable
right to dictate or define the elector-
ate"
The resolution urged that the com
mercial congress go on record as fav-
Sring state rights Ia woman sufS
frage.
The morning session was enliyened
by resolution offered by Senator
Ransdell of Louisiana, providing that
the United States congress be urged
to investigate the Columbian claims
that the Panama canal zone was i'm
properly acquired by the United
States.
After mentioning the statement OF
President Wilson that the United
States would gain no more territory
by conquest he said that Colombia's S
claim should not be ignored, and if
investigated and found to be well
founded, the United States should
make reparation. His resolution was
referred to committee.
w. ID. Boyce of Chicago offered
the unique idea that a great American
city should be established on the zone
and that it should be a free" city
free of all export and import duty.
This, he said, would aid wonderfully
in the fight of the United States for
this new trade.
This was Pan-American night, fea-
turcd by diplomatic dinner" early
In the evening and a programme COM
posed of speeches by Central and
south American representatives lat
er. At the dinner were represented
Costa iica, Bolivia, Peru, Panama,
Brazil and Argentina. That the bonds
OF friendship between the United
states ana the countries of South and
central America were sure to be
strengthened the Panama canal in
tuences seemed to be the opinion of
all the speakers.
The memorial in honor Of the
memory of Senator Morgan and the
attending often expressed idea that
one of the forts at the Panama canal
should be named for him brought on
general discussion Of that subject
today and tonight Senator John II.
bankhcad of Alabama announced in
speech that at the next session of
congress he would ask in a resolution
that II one of the forts is named
Grant that another. lust rs import-
ant be named Lee" This also was
the subject of extended discussion of
the Women's Auxiliary meeting to-