New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-09
All Members of Union at
Meeting of Govern
ing Board.
BRYAN AS CHAIRMAN
NAMES COMMITTEE
Plan Uniformity of Action in
Dealing with Warning
Powers.
[Fron The Tribune Bureau J


Washington, Dec. s.-The governing
board of the Pan-American Union me-
in full session to-day to take actor
with regard to the relations Of tho
twenty-one American republics with the
belligerent powers of Europe looking
TO the protection of the rights OF
neutrals.
Secretary Bryan presided. Ambsssa
dor Naon of Argentins made an ad'
dress outlining the purposes and in
tentions of the republics, which shortly
thereafter was adopted into the decla'
rations of position and the resolutions
providing for a special commission oi
nine to formulate a Pan-American
policy looking to the protection OF the
international and commercial rights oi
the neutral nations, more particularly
Of those component of the union itself
The Pan-American position was de-
scribed by Ambassador Naon in the
following phrases taken from his adj
dress:
at falls to us. the democracies oil
America. which are seeking to realize
the IDEAL civilization founded upon the
value and the strength of principles, 10
do our utmost that they become the
chief basis of international relations:
If war can justify the setting aside OF
the rights Of neutrals, there would dls,
appear our commercial activities ana
our economic resources in the preser
yation of which are concerned DOM
our existence and the exigencles OF
civilization"
Following the conference and In ac-
cordance with the resolutions, the spe-
cial commission of nine members 70
study the international problems pre-
sented and to submit suggestions look
ing 10 uniformity of action IN the deai-
ings of the American repuollcs WIN
the warring powers was appointed py
Mr.. Bryan, as follows: The amoassa-
dors from Argentina, Brazil and Onlli
and the ministers from Uruguay, feIu'
Honduras, Ecuador and Cuna: M
Brvan will be the chairman Oh tnis
commission ex officio. III
The resolution providing for TINS
commission stipulates that each gov
eminent may submit to it such plans OF
suggestions as it may deem convenient
to do.
The declarations adopted by the con-
ference set forth the following state
ment OF the position Of the American
republics: ...s
"1) That the magnitude OF the pres
ent European war presents new prop
lens of international law the solution
of which is of equal interest TO the
entire world. 49,, A..
"C2) That the form in which the
onerations of the belligerents are de-
veloping rebounds to the injury OF the
neutrals. tor
"(30 That the principal cause Tor
this result is that the respective rights
of the belligerents and the neutrals are
not clearly defined, notwithstanding
that such definition is demanded po.h
by general convenience and by the
snirit of Justice which doubtlessly AMI
mates the belligerents with respect 10
the interests of the neutrals.
"(D That considerations OF every
character call for definition OF such
rights as promptly as possible upon
the principle that liberty OF commerce
should not be restricted Deyohu the
point indispensable for military opera
tons" m,
"The interests Of the countries not
involved in conflict are as mucn en-
titled to respect, as sacred, to say ,n9
least, as those which could be INVOKED
by the countries which misfortune mas
led TO belligerency," said DR.. Naon,
"The mission of the neutral countries
is 10 maintain the progress OF inc
world and 10 conserve its moral ana
material energies as a nucleus Tor the
re-establishment of the disturbed
equilibrium in future which we all
earnestly hope will be immediate. That
social mission which is as supreme as
the very defence of sovereignty aug
ments. II possible. the attention when
deserves the respect for the integrity
OF their rights as neutrals. IL these
rights and the rights OF the belliger-
ents conflict, u spirit OF justice, sen.
timent Of humanity and reason OF
high practical policy determine that
the rights Of the neutrals must prevail,
inasmuch as their mission Is q mission
OF progress. Of preservation ana OF
re.