The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-20
Pan American Union Stands. as the
Best Example of International Cooper
ation--War Gone From Continent

merely permit 1t to exert a moral in
fiuence in the direction Of peace. II
has no international police force at
its command, or ever has had occa-
sion for one. The importance OF this
fact must not be overlooked. It is
emphasized by study OF the record
OF international quarrels which pre-
dated the formation Of the union. In
those days South Americas belligerent
tendencies were frequently referred to
as unusual and handicaps to the
progress Of the continent.
THE union does far more than this,
however: indeed, so nearly perfect has
become the understanding between the
involved nations through its intelligent
operation that very little OF it's time Is
devoted TO work OF this character
Principally 1t gives its attention to the
dissemination OF useful literature and
the promotion Of commerce and trade.
A growing conviction. however, exists
among its members that the council
should be authorized by the various
contributary Governments, through
special international agreement, to
initiate mediation or arbitration OF
disputes among the American nations
and TO organize some system whereby
such initiation may be supported and
resultant awards enforced. At the next
conference. which will meet at San
tiago, Chile, during the coming autumn
or next winter. this project for the
Americas will be discussed, even
though the Peace Conference at Paris
may accomplish something OF the sort
for the whole world
Probable Extension of Power.
1T say, without the slightest fear OF
contradiction that at the present mo-
ment American sentiment is over
whelmingly in favor OF extending the
powers of the great organization be-
yond its present avowed sphere OF
usefulness. At the last conference a
resolution providing for this was not
passed but the name OF the organiza-
ton was changed from the Bureau OF
American Republics to the Pan Amer
lean Union on the ground that the
latter came nearer to embodying the
real spirit of the organization. The
well attended meetings which took
place regularly during the war indi-
II
arity OF sentiment.
perhaps the most striking example
Of the influence of the governing
board was given in the action OF Ar
eentina, Brazil and Chile in calling the
so-caued Niagara Falls Conference.
which Is believed by many to have
prevented war between the United
States and Mexico. But definite work
had been done long before that.
Ten years ago, when war seemed
inevitable in Central America, what
was known as the Central American
Peace Conference was held at WASH
ington under the auspices OF the Pan
American Union, and out of that came
the Central American Peace Treaty
and Peace Court. The period OF the
courts life was ten years and It has
not been renewed, but peaceful con-
ditions have maintained and show no
signs of ceasing. while 1t is probable
that the lapsed pact soon will be re-
vivificd.
During the dispute between Peru
and Chile the fact that the Pan Amer
lean Union existed. made up OF nine
teen nations which would be sure to
look with strong disfavor upon such
war, naturally may be held to have
had some influence upon those who,
had there been no such restraining
force at hand. might have been in
clined to start hostilities.
1.-The mere sight of the governing
board In session in the Washington
building Is impressive and significant.
There seated around a common table,
in chairs each of which carries the
arms OF the country whose delegate
| occupies 1t, elbow to elbow and, more
importantly, brain to brain. on such
occasions are the representatives of
two hundred millions Of people.
Mote the figures. Two hundred
| millions are only twenty-seven millions
less than the combined populations of
the United Kingdom OF Great Britain
and Ireland, Italy and France, tho
principal original Allies. with Ger
many's population thrown in for good
measure. the figures being. the United
| Kingdom, S3,711, 900; France, 39,6OO,-
600; Italy. 36,5460oO. and Germany.
| 67,8l2 900, Europe's league when it is
formed will be a bigger league of
course, but the American league ia
far from Insignificant