Evening star., 1921-09-25

l.
| \N/ of disputes between the
v v countries of Latin Amer
ica there comes the sug-
| gestion that the Pan-American Union
provide an agency through which
these differences might be peacefully
adjusted. And the suggestion raises
| an interesting question as to the fu-
| ture of this institution and whether
it can ever hope to enter a field which
it has always carefully sought to
avoid.
| For more than twenty years now the
| diplomatic representatives of the
Latin American republics have held
| monthly meetings with the Secretary
Of State at the Pan-American Union
| building and discussed questions of
| common interest to the Americas. The
result of these conferences is partial
ly shown in the Importance of the
| Pan american Union today as an
| agency for developing what has come
to be known as the pan American
spirit" In addition. the round-table
| discussions have placed the Pan
| American Union in unique position
among international agencies. Its his
tory has shown only steady porgress.
| free from the discord which SO often
enters body composed of the repre-
! sentatives of powers between whom
| international rivalry naturally exists.
| The purpose of the Pan-American
! Union has been to bring about the
commercial and cultural Development
of the Americas; to create a helpful
understanding which will benefit the
people of the western hemisphere and
aid their advancement. Virtually
| every step taken in this direction has
F! been made with the cooperation of
tie Pan-American Union in Washing
| ton, or at it's solicitation. The grow
| ing trade between the republics of
| Latin America has been due to a large
! extent to the Pan-American Union.
| Students are exchanged between the
! United States and the republics of
the south through the Pan-American
Union: scientific and medical con-
| crosses are arranged: medical and
! sanitary missions visit South Amer
| ica; teachers are sent to the schools
i Of Latin America from this country,
and innumera BILE other mutually bene-
| fetal arrangements are made through
the Pan-American Union.
But while the Pan-American Union
! hsa been successful. its work is only
! beginning. There is an immense op-
portunity for it to meet in years to
come Should it leave its chosen field
/; to enter an entirely new one-the
adjustment of international disputes
| there are many who believe much of
| would be lost. while the work of the
| future would be Sorely handicapped.
!. Those who see the disadvantages in
a change in the present policy of the
! Pan American Union in avoiding in
! ternational disputes cite three main
/ points for their stand.
| In the first place. the governing
board of the Pan-American Union is
so constituted that the present ar
rangement would preclude it's taking
any action on matters of international
| dispute. The board is composed OF
the diplomatic representatives of the
Latin American countries in Wash
.ington. with the Secretary of States as
chairman ex-officio., Such body pos
sesses no authority for the settlement
of international disputes.
Second. should an agreement be
reached between the member coun-
tries of the Pan-American Union
which would enable that institution to
take UP the settlement of interna-
tional disputes. the way would be laid
| open for disruptlng an organization
| which so far has shown undivided
progress.
And. finally, Latin American repre-
| sentatives are beginning to place hope
in the establishment of the court OF
international justice at Geneva. pro-
lvided for by the league Of nations.
! Ninety-fve per cent of disputes be-
tween the countries of Latin America
are over old boundaries. inherited
from a time when no republic of South
or Central America anticipated the
growth attained today There is nc
reason why these disputes. some OF
which gravely threaten Sqth Ameri.
can progress. cannot be anhcably set
tied And the international court OF
justice provides the medium for set
tlement.
The only fly in the ointment, as re-
CARDS a decision Of this tribunal. is
the Monroe doctrine. No European
power could enforce its decision. Blu,
many believe a decision of the high
court would not have to be enforced
by arms, and should force ever be