The Washington herald., 1921-12-22
The Americas to Gather.

publics composing the Pan American
ference scheduled as we are reminded by John
Barrett in a letter to the New York Times, for
Santiago, capital OF Chile, next summer.
This will be the fifth international conference
of the American republics and it promises to
eclipse in interest and achievement any that has pre-
ceded it, largely because of its certain consideta-
ton of the conclusions OF the conference Of Wash
ington, now sitting in the home of Pan America in
Seventeenth street.
.. The governing board OF the Pan American Union,
composed OF the Secretary of State OF the United
States and the Latin American diplomatic represen
tatives will meet next month to the date of
the assembly and work general program and
specific agenda.
Mr.. Barrett, former Director General of the
Union, goes to say in part:
Great importance is attached this coming
: Pan American gathering, only by the Latin
american diplomats and high officials Of the United
States, but by foreign delegates to the armament
conference. There is a good reason. 1t now prom
Uses to be the first large meeting OF group OF
tons having similar political, continental, and
geographical interests, which may consider and pass
ID upon the conclusions of the armament conference.
1t may also afford the first real test of the popular
feeling toward the treaties and agreements OF the
nine participating powers and peoples, the part
OF large group of governments and peoples not
invited to participate in any way except as specta-
tors.
That situation explains the European and
Asatic interest in this solely American international
gathering. The North and South American inter-
est the other hand, is far keen, active and
comprehensive. The general opinion prevails
throughout the Americas that this conference will
be forced to consider more difficult, delicate
and more important questions than have be-
fore any or all OF the four previous Pan American
conferences, going back over period OF forty-six
years.
TO paraphrase the words OF leading diplo-
IEatic authority Pan American affairs, this con-
ference may settle forever the future OF what is
called practical Pan Amercansm' 1t must either
face and master side step and sidetrack big issues
upon which future Pan American cooperation
solidarity and peace depend. There can be no
evading of these questions except to convert the
conference into an international Pan American
social soree to exchange compliments and
greetings and have a good time"
Another diplomat has sized up the prospect
somewhat a-ong the following lines: What with a
difficult international trade situation due to inequali-
: ties in exchange and restrictive tariff laws; what
with the United States-Me>;can recognition ques-
-t ton unsettled and menacng Pan American soli-
darity; what with the critical ChePeru dispute still
in the heat of argument; what with Guatemala con-
trolled by de facto revolutionary government also
,sn-ecognized by the United States and the embryo
Central American republic still unrearled; what
: with both the Dominican Republic and Haiti COM
: planning sister American republics against the
otreatnent received from the United States;- what
with lesser difficulties in Cuba, Nicaragua Panama
and Paraguay and what with score of other
greater less Pan American problems and posi-
bilities facing Pan American relations TODAY Sec
-retary Hughes will require all of his extraordinary
tact, patience, sympathy and ability in helping to
shape the agenda for the fifth Pan American CON-
erence so that it can be approved and followed by
ihe United States and all the other American gov
.-,ssthments.
For one strong personal and national reason
o. the Latin Americans in Washington and elsewhere
. heartily welcome discussion at this moment of the
fifth Pan American conference. Since the armament
= conference opened and until now Latin America
has suffered almost total eclipse. The colossal
figure of the Far East and Pacific has doomed I'D
between the bright light OF public interest and
latin America The Pan American Building has
. literally become the Pan-Pachc or even the PAN
"a static Building The heroic statues of North and
South America standing either side of the noble
facade of the Pan American Building should carry
the names OF Japan and China
=. Every language except Spanish is heard in
Die marble Corridors the noble Hall of Americas
the imposing foyer OF American heroes and flags.
-and in the exotic Spanish patio Although Latin
stneries has coast line of 1000 to 10000 miles
r 100000 people and commerce of $500 ooo.
600 bordering the Pacific seas, she was no, in
vited to attend participate in a Pacific confer
.sace held in her own home and headquarters
Z Latin America has not complained openly. She
rs too proud to do that Her diplomatic represen-
atives are too discreet to discuss it, but deep down
in their hearts Latin Americans think that Il would
have been an act OF courtesy for the HAIRED Co.,.
TO have invited at leaR or two of the larger
american republics to set around the council table
Only their supreme respect for, and confidence m
--fhe wisdom OF President Harding and Secretars,,