The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-12-16
MANNING, S. c., WEDNESDAY. DECEMBERl l6 1914
TO ASSERT THEIR RIGHTS
AMERICAN NATIONS WANT NEr.
TRIAL RIGHTS REJECTED.
Twenty Neutral Countries Are Reprea
sented at Meeting Over Which Sec
retary Bryan Presides.

retary Bryan Presides.
Twenty nations Of the western
hemisphere Tuesday expressed their
disapproval Of the effects Of opera
tions Of the European belligerents in
the waters Of the two Americas, and
appointed a commission Of diplomats
to Formulate practical steps contem-
plating q most vigorous assertion OF
the rights Of neutrals.
Gathered in the magnificent Pan
American Union building, the diplo-
matte representatives Of the Ameri-
can republics, most 5f them under
specific instructions from theft gov
ernments, urged united action by the
nations of this hemisphere to restore
trade and remove some Of the bur-
dens placed on commerce by the Eu-
ropean war.
It was the first International con-
ference Of neutral nations which had
assembled in any part of the globe
since the European. war began and,
irrespective Of its possible accom-
plishments during the present con-
fiict, was regarded as the birth oe a
new movement in international law
for the definition Of the right Of the
neutral as opposed to the right OF
the belligerent.
Underlying the several speeches
made by the diplomats was note OF
warning that the presence Of bellig-
erent warships id the western hemi-
sphere already had produced grave
complications between American ma
tions and European powers, demon
stratiag the vital need Of Pan-Ameri-
can solidarity.
:. Secretary Bryan made the opening
speaeh, pointing out that the United
States sympathized deeply with the
plight Of its heighboring countries,
and declared the neutral nations
should not be forced to suffer for the
acts of the belligerents. After a gen
eral discussion the following resolu-
tion was adopted unanimously:
"The governing board Of the Pan
American Union
Declares
"1. That the magnitude of the Eu-
ropean war preesnts new problems
Of international law, the solution Of
which is Of equal interest to tie en-
tire world.
"2. That the form id which the
oeprations~of the belligerents are de.
veloping rebound to the injury OF
the neutrals.
this result is that the respective
rights of the belligerents and 6f the
neutrals are not clearly defined, not
withstanding that such definition is
demanded both by general conference
as by the spirit Of justice which
doubtless a6tntates the belligerents
with respect to the Interests Of the
neutrals. -,
character call for a declaration. Of
such rights as promptly as possible,
upon fhe principle that liberty Of
commerce should not be restricted
beyonod the point indispensable. for
military operations.
"On these grounds the governing
board OF the Pan-American Union re-
Il. A special committee Of the
same is hereby appointed, to consist
Of nine members, Of which the secre-
tary. Of state Of the United States
shall form part, acting as chairman
thereof, ex oficio:. ..,o.. -.
"2. This commission shall study
the problems presented by the pres
ent European war and shall submit
to the governing board the sugges-
tions it may deem Of common inter-
est. In the study Of questions of e
technical character, this commission
will consuit ths board Of jurists. .
"3. Each government may submit
to the c5mmittee such plans or such
resolutions as may be deemed con-
veninent on. the different subjects
that circumstances suggest"
The committee was Immediately
appointed, to consist Of the secretary
of state of the United States, the am
bassadors from Brazil, Chile. Argen-
tina, the ministers from Uruguay
Peru, Ecuador, Honduras and Cuba
The secretary of state Of the Unit.
ed States, as chairman ex-officio OF
the governing board Of the Pan
American Union. presided over the
meeting. Seated to his right and left
were the ambassadors Of Brazil
Chile and Argentina and this minis
ters of the sixteen other republics
There was one vacant chair-that OF
the ambassador from Mexico, the gov
ernment of which country remains