The Washington times., 1915-05-21
FOR DIRECT CHANGE
WITH LAT|N-AMER|CA
That, With Improvement OF
Transportation, to BE Chief
Topic at Conference Here.

Direct. or dollar exchange between
the republics of South and Central
America and the United States. and
rapid Improvement Of transportation
facilities between all these countries
will be the principal topics for discus
sion at the Pan-American Financial
Conference called by Secretary McAdoo
to meet In Washington Monday, ac-
cording to expressions from arriving
delegates.
Solution of these problems would DO
more to foster and build trade among
the sister republics Of the western
Hemisphere that any other consldera-
tions, 1t Is declared
Delegates to the conference have just
begun to arrive in Washington. and 1t
Is expected that In the next day or two
all the South and Central American
representatives will be at the headquar-
ters in the Shoreham.
The American delegates. prominent
business men and bankers. are not ex-
peCted to reach Washington until the
end of the week.
Present System a Handicap.
The present system Of exchange, which
requires settling Of all balances through
London. has been severe handicap to
American trade for many years. and
has been especially hurtful since the
war began. There Is a widespread de-
sire to put an end to the anomalous and
artificial condition. and this Will be
one Of the first questions before the
conference, it Is understood.
1t Is also predicted that the people of
all the Central and South American re-
publics are looking forward to the con-
ference to devise definite. practical
means for the establishment of closer
and stronger financial and trade rela-
tions. The present outlook is that their
expectations will be realized. for II is
the purpose OF Secretary McAdoo and
the delegates from the republics of the
entire Western Hemisphere to exert
every effort to obtain practical results.
To Aid American Industries.
The European war threatens seriously
to handicap the development Of railroad
and street railway transportation
throughout Central and South America.
as we'll as local public service indus
tries, such as gas and electric light
companies and telephone companies.
The financial depression Immediately
preceding the war led to temporary
cessation OF extensions and other i'm
proNements, so that when the war
opened there existed very definite
| need for the improved conditions.
FAILURE to make such improvements
viii mean serious handicap to the in
dustrial progress of those countries.
| One Of the important purposes which
the Official delegates have In mind Is
to devise some plan by which the needs
OF south American enterprises will be
met ny American capital. The inan-
clng OF such enterprises by American
capital will mean a greatly extended
market for American manufacturers.
Aide For Each Delegation.
Every country of Central and South
America has displayed remarks BILE en-
thusiasm over the meeting and pledged
its support to realize the hopes of Sec
retary McAdoo to achieve results for
mutual advantage. Each delegate as
! he arrives Ia met by representatives Of
and military aide. Likewise a mill
| tary aide will be assigned TO each dele
| cation. to remain with II throughout
the entire stay in Washington Eight
cen naval and military officers have
been especially detailed for this service
Secretary McAdoo has made plans for
| the comfort and entertainment Of the
| visitors and to make them feel the hos.
pitality of the United States.
| For the convenience of the delegates
accommodations have been procured
| for all of them, including those Of theii
the secretary general OF the conference
will also have an office at the hote
throughout the time Of the sessions.
Automobiles will be at the disposa
of each delegate during his entire stay
| here, available at all times A number
of special motor trips have beer
| planned, so that every opportunity may
| be afforded to the visitors to visit the
parks and other interesting features OF
the National Capital.