Evening star., 1921-12-25
BY BEN McKELWAY.

TIME settlement of American
problems by Americans is a
policy so firmly enunciated by
this government that its theo-
retical application is beyond dispute.
But when one after another issue
arises concerning the American re-
publics alone and a practical agency
or method for their solution remains
to be created. the time is seen ap-
preaching Chen the Monroe doctrine
must take its place either among
vague traditions or present-day real
tiles
For this reason there are many who
profess to see in the forthcoming
Pan-American conference the most
F; important gathering in the history
Of the Americas. If present indica-
tions bear out, it will be the first
| meeting called for the express pur-
pose of deciding definitely on the
adoption of a method or the creation
of an agency to settle questions con.
cerning the inter-American policy OIL
the American republics.
| The attitude of South America to-
ward the conference on the limitation
Of armament, as evidenced by its rep
resentatives in Washington, may De
described as "watchful waiting.
! They are watching for the outcome
| Of a conference among nations TO d1s-
cuss questions relating to their mu-
tual welfare: they are waiting Tor
some move on the part OF this coun-
! try to lead the way to another con-
| ference for the exclusive discussion
Of American problems. There is llt-
| tie evidence. as far as can be gath-
cred, of any jealousy or hurt feelings
| on the part of the southern American
republics at having been left out OF
| the present conference. They realize
| the scope Of the conference does not
include South America or its PROB
! lens But there is noticeable feel
| ing of interest on their part as TO
! whether the results of the arms con-
| ference will justify gathering OF
the American republics for a discus
sion of their own problems.
| 1t has been indirectly reported re-
| Gently from various quarters that
President Harding is considering
conference of the American republics
And there are those who believe ne
| has decided on the next Pan -Amerl-
can conference as to the agency 10
bring it about The date. place OF
meeting and the program Of this con-
| ference are to be decided at a meet
ing of the governing board of the
| PAN American Union here. and as
chairman ex-officio of this board Sec
retary Hughes will take prominent
part in framing the agenda.
! K + *
The governing board of the Pan
American Union must choose one OF
two policies in framing the agenda
! for the conference. The members
NAV either decide to bring before the
I! Pan American conference some OF the
| important issues of the day in Latin
;America-such as the adoption of a
publics in their recognition of de
| facto governments: or else they Will
map out d program which viii! mean
little more than social gathering Tor
! the delegates.
| The first policy will be an attempt
to create within the Pan-Amerlcan
conference body which may deal
republics. The second will be more
or less a repetition of past Pan
American conferences. where every
body became inbued with the heralded
| Pan American spirit" shook hands
Sall around and went home.
! The Pan-American conference was
| originated in 1890 when representa-
/! tfves of the Latin American repub-
! lies gathered in Washington al the
call of James G. Blaine, then Sec
retary of State. Since the first meet
i ing three have been held, one in
Mexico City in 1901, another in Rio
de Janeiro in 1906 and another in
| Buenos Aires in 1910. The fifth con-
| ference was to have been held in
Santiago. Chile, but the war indefi-
nitely postponed the gathering. The
! next meeting. however. probably will
be held in Santiago next summer.
| The principal outgrowth of the four