Evening star., 1921-12-25
AMERICAN REPUBLICS
LOOK TOCONFERENCE
Gathering Along Lines of Washington
Arms Farley Among Possibilities
of Early Future.

conferences is the Pan-American
Union. This institution has relig-
eously kept its skirts clear of ques-
tions which involved the diplomatic
relations of the American republics,
and has concentrated on development
of commercial intercourse and friend
ly contacts. commendable task
which is in the way of being success
fully accomplished.
Without involving the PaE-Ameri- j.
can Union. the duties Of which snuuld
not be broadened to include the dis
cussion of diplomatic questions. the
Pan American conference has before
it an opportunity to fill a real need
in Pan-American relations today.
4 X
President Harding's appointment Of
Secretary Hoover as chairman of the
United States section of the Inter
American High Commission is ex-
lieve Secretary Mellon of part of the
great burden of pressing business
under which he now labors. But
the appointment is highly approved
by Latin American diplomats In
Washington who believe that Secre-
tary Hoover's energetic organization
and administrative ability will be
used TO excellent advantage in put
ting new life into this important in
stitution.
Secretary Hoover takes the helm
at time when the United States
section of the commission is per-
forming an important task. and one
which may have a striking effect in
Latin America. Last week the va
rious sections met in their capitals.
and in response to a call from Sec
retary Mellon set about preparing
suggestions for the economic bet
terment Of their countries. These
suggestions and recommendations
will be received by the United States
! section. which may adopt. from their
study, some plan for aiding financial
and economic conditions in Latin
America.
American interests are buying large
petroleum fields in Bolivia, according
to dispatches reaching the United
States by way of Argentina. The
| investment is said to be heavy and
to include the complete installation
of private lines.
Bolivia has been able to attract
foreign interests. Of which all South
American countries are in need. and
within the near future is expected
to have petroleum fields of great po-
| tential production. The petroleum
| discovered in Bolivia is said to be
of an exceptionally high grade.
Colombia is furnishing an increas-
ing source of supply and market for
the United States, and since 1910
Americas share in her imports has
! increased from 81 to 5S per cent.
Despite the economic depression
which has prevailed in Colombia for
the last two years, she has main
! tanned her credit abroad by prompt
remittanceS on loans.
X X *
Great interest marks the reported
discovery in the province of Tara
paca, Chile, of large nitrate beds.
where no other nitrate has ever been
| found. The government has sent
mining expert to the region to in
f; vestigate and make a formal report.
The government has signed a con-
! tract with the prospector who made
| the discovery granting him the choice
| district. While the nitrate industry
| in Chile is now at a low ebb. any.
| new discoveries of sources of nitrate
supply are important because of their
potential value.
The committee of fifteen appointed
! by the commissioner of education to
| investigate educational preparation
| for foreign service reports that sew
| enty-one colleges and universities in
! the United States now offer special
training of this character. The total
; enrolment for ten institutions. which
/ have 100 or more pupils enrolled in
foreign trade courses, is 2.225. The
University of Washington. in Seattle.
| heads the list. with 407 students. and
| the University of New York is next
gert of the bureau of education is
! cha irmen of the committee of fifteen.