Evening star., 1922-07-23
SOUTH AMERICA ENTERS
NEW AND BETTER ERA
Settlement of Peruvian-C Chilian COntrO
yersy Removes Obstacle Which Has
Hampered Solidarity.

whatever one might choose to call
the organization created to deal with
questions between the Americas
Scope Of Congress Brondened.
AS far. as this is concerned, the
Pan American Congress itself con-
tion for what is needed. So far this
congress, because of the delicacy of
the Chilean-Peruvian question and
allied difficulties. has studiously
avoided discussions involving diplo-
matte disputes between the American
republics. 1t has clung to purely
topics and accomplished commenda-
be results along these lines.
The fact that radical departure
from the usual nature of these con-
ferences is planned at Santiago next
year is shown by the Uruguay pro-
posal and another suggestion. so far
tentative. that the question of limi-
tation of armament for Latin Amer
lea be included on the program. The
feasibility of including this latter
proposition has to a large degree de-
pended on the outcome of the Tacna-
africa controversy, and the success
full conclusion of the conference vir-
=
armament will be discussed. But II
limitation of armament or any other
Qi astions of Its Importance comes
within the agenda of the congress.
the congress itself must be reorgan-
lied before the subject can get mucN
beyond the stage of discussion. For
the delegates have limited power to
act for their governments i'm such
matters under the present constit9-
tion.
De Fncto Governments.
Another question of great import
ance to South America, which might
the Pan-American Congress for con-
sideration by that or any other duly
appointed tribunal is the need of
some fixed policy regarding the
recognition of de facto governments.
AS long as there are revolutions in
South America-and there is no rea-
son to believe the danger Is ended
there are going to be de facto gov
ernments and the present it-or-miss
policy of their recognition. And as
long as this policy exists there are
going to be revolutions These po.
litical upheavals in South and Central
America. which sometimes reach the
epide emic stage. as they are highly
contagious. have done more. probab-
ly. than any one thing to retard the
development of certain of the small
er republics. The country may be
prosperous under a good administra-
ton. trade picking up. capital being
invested. and along comes revolu-
ton out of a clear sky-a revolution
which does not express the Will OF
the people. but usually is confined to
the activity of a few political mall
contents who buy off the army and
public officials and stage coup
d.etat" Then. during the inevitable
period of reorganization, business is
depressed. the people become rest
less and foreign capital. so neces-
sary for the development of new
country. becomes suspicious. ana
what has been done by one admins
tration must be done over again by
its successor.
Many believe a fixed policy OF rec
oeuition would do great deal to-.
ward stopping this political evil. NO
government is going to survive un-
less ii received the benefits Of recog-
milton and normal intercourse with
it's neighbors De facto govern.
ments should be required to fulfll
specified conditions before they re-
ceive the recognition Of their neigh.
bors. And these conditions should
be named and strictly enforced by the
American republics.