New-York tribune., 1914-11-27
Concert of All Powers of
This Hemisphere Is
Diplomats Scheme.
SCOPE WIDER THAN
MONROE DOCTRINE
Protection of Neutral COM
merce One OF Movements
Principal Reasons.

Washington. Nov. 26.-If the plans
now being discussed by South American
diplomats for the joining together OF
all OF the South American countries
with the United States in conference
TO take definite steps TO protect the
commerce Of this hemisphere and, at
the same time, settle upon n fixed pol
icy Of neutrality are carried out, the
Monroe Doctrine will be replaced by
the Pan American Concert, which In the
future will dispose Of all questions af-
fecting one or all of the American re-
publics.
These plans have assumed such def
mite form that il is expected that they
will be laid before President Wilson
and Secretary Bryan in the very near
future for their approval.
II is not the purpose OF the proposed
Pan-American Concert to interfere IN
any way with the Monroe Doctrine. On
the contrary, each and every one Of
the South American republics is firmly
in favor of it. But they want 70 go
step further, in that they want all in
ternational questions affecting any OF
them settled in a way which they be
lieve will be for the best interests OF
all the American republics.
In other words, some Of the South
American republics have now grown TO
be so big that they are inclined 20 be-
lieve that this country should no
longer be regarded as a big brother
watching out for their interests, and
they think they should join with us in
looking out for the interests Of all.
Far Reaching in Its Scope.
Although the protection OF neutral
commerce and the insistence on the
rights Of Americans, both North and
South, is one Of the primary reasons
for the holding of the proposed con-
ference, il was pointed out that its
scope would go much further than this.
The recent protests over the alleged
neutrality violations in Colombia and
Ecuador. for example, would be unnec-
essary If the plans which the South
American diplomats have in view are
carried out.
As proposed, the representatives Of
the different republics would agree on
rules Of absolute neutrality, which all
would be bound 70 resrect. If theis
was any violation by a republic il could
easily be called 70 time and made 70
correct its ways, for instead Of having
a single country like the United States
use its good Offices. a demand backed
up by all Of the power of the republics
taking part in the conference, would
be made in way that would cause the
erring republic speedily 70 mend its
ways.
II has been proposed that the con-
ference can take up many other ques-
tiols with international aspect on the
theory that question Of this kind af-
fecting any one country would neces-
sarlly affect all. One we'll known
South American diplomat i'm discussing
the proposed conference to-day said:
"A conference Of American republics
which will have for its purpose the dec
laration Of a general uniform policy
which each will observe for the main
tenance OF neutrality and the Drotec-
tion Of commerce among themselves is
under contemplation. The adoption of
sucl policy will not only convey the
assurance that it is the purpose Of the
republics associated together i'm the
Pan-American Union to hold aloof from
the war and to avoid any step which
might lead to difficulties on this side of
the ocean, but il will also make clear
10 the belligerent powers that neutral
commerce between these countries must
not be interfered with and subjected to
unnecessary scrutiny by warships Of
the warning powers.
Van Dyck Seizure Cited.
"EEhe seizure Of the Van Dyck is
case in point This essel was laden
with coffee and Argentine beef for the
United States. The protest of one of
the republics against actions of this
kind would be of little avail. but a gen
eral declaration t. which all of tn. ]
publics have subscribed will have suf-
ticient force TO carry the convictions
that neutral commerce on the high
seas must not be subjected to inter
ference and delay.
AT the same time such a crystal
lization OF sentiment will put upon
each of the individual republics the
burden of adhering scrupulously to
their declarations OF neutrality and
taking every precauton to prevent any
act which might bring hostiltes to
this part of the world"
When the United States accepted the
good Offices OF Argentina, Brazil and
Chilli at the recent Mexico mediation
conference several students Of diplo-
matte law here were of the opinion
that the Monroe Doctrine had been re-
nlaced hv tho pap-A p,arica, ror,o..