Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-12-07
LATIN AMERICAN EFFORTS.
Neighborlng Republics by Concerted Ac-
ton Working for worlds Welfare.


We hear much these days about national
and International congresses and confer
ences being held in the L. s, hut any
one under the impression that this coun-
try has a monopoly of such gatherings
is not keeping in touch with I4atin-.Amer-
lean activities. The people of the other
American countries are doing their share
in the way of concerted action and con-
structivc movements looking toward the
economic. hygenic. moral, and intellec-
tual welfare Of the western world, regard
less Of the destructive agencies now blight
ing the hopes of humanity in the old
world. Under the title "lmportant Lat
in-AmeriCan Congresses" an article i'm
the current number of the bulletin of the
Pan-Americau Union. Washington. ID. e..
gives an account Of several Of such in
ternational as well as national meet
ingS.
Among these one of the most important
was the first American congress on child
welfare, held in BuenoS Aires during last
July and which lasted through 10 days.
Delegates from the following II countries
took an active part in the congress: Ar
gentina. Bolivia, Brazil. Chile. Ecuador,
Paraguay. Peru. Salvador. United States.
and Venezuela. The recommeudatio lions
and resolutions OF this congress covered
practically every phase Of child welfare,
embodying the results of careful study
Of eminent experts in the matter Of con-
serving and improving the human race
through proper care and protection of
the child.
Another important conference of an in
,ernatonal character was the American
congress of photography and history, in
which delegates from seven South and
two North American republics partlCl-
patcd. The congress was inauguratcd at
the University Of BucuoS Aires July &,
1915, its chief purpose being the exchange
of ideas and formulation of plans in con-
nection with photographic and historic
matters pertaining to the western world.
including scientific studies of its pre-
historic period. one of the most inter-
cstinG features was an exhibition Of rep
resentative literary and scientific works
from II American countries
\ third international meeting was the
American congress of social sciences
which was held at Tucuman, Argentina,
also in July, 1915. and in which delegates
from eight American republics took part.
Various matters of sociological interest
were discussed and numerous recommends
atoms adopted. and provision was made
TO- the publication of the proceedings,
acts. and resolutions. With the view of
their presentation to tho various gov
erninentS and societies Interested An
other interesting congress which assumed
International importance was the con-
gress OF Masous. called by the supreme
council of Ancien, and Accepted scottish
Rite MaSons Of the Argentine Republic,
winch met IN the Masonic temple in
Bueuos Aires Masonic delegates from II
I.atin-American countries participated in
the proceedings which although chiefly
concerned with matters pertaining to the
Masonic ordcr in the Americas also dealt
with lnatteri % Worldwide interest. ono
resolution, for instance, recommended
that the supreme councils take some ac-
ton at the next congress Of Lausanne. in
1917. looking TO the establishment of a
world peace.
Tho irst ran-Amcricau .crouautiCal
congress was held IN Santiago, chile, in
March, 1910. This first really nt"ruatiou-
al meeting in the interest ot aviation 20
be hcld in the new world Mas under the
auspices of the Aero club of chile, aud
delegates from nine American countries
were present, among them 81 Santos Du-
mont the famous brazilian pioneer in the
art of dying, who represented the Aero
club of North America rs well as the
avia lion interests Of ms own country. \
synopsis of the proceedings appeared in
the bulletin for May, 1915,
The first national medical congress, held
At bucnos Aires in September last while
nominally national was really intcrna-
tional in scope and interest and delegates
from Bolivia. Brazil, Chile Paraguay.
Peru. and Uruguay were present and took
active part in the proceedings. Among
other congresses of only national char
actcr were the first national students
congress Of the Argentine republic, the
Eucharistic congress of Argentina. and
the first engineers congress, all held in
Buenos Aires. II may thus he seen
that international rs wen as national
movements toward improving conditions
In many phases of human activities and
interests are being initiated in leading
countries of Latin-Amerca as well as IN
the great progressive republic of the
north.