Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1922-11-18
ANOTHER PEACE
CONFERENCE SOON
REPRESENTATIVES OF CENTRAL
AMERICAN STATES ARE TO
MEET IN WASHINGTON.
TO DISCUSS LAND ORNAMENTS
Hope and Belief Is That They Will
Set Example for Europe in This Re-
spect and Insure Peace for Them
selves.
BY EDWARD 8. CLARK

aShlngtOn.-ShOrtly there Will
gather in Washington Representatives
of the Central American states TO con-
fer together with representatives OF
the United States in behalf of means
for closer economic union, for lasting
peace and for the general good of the
countries represented.
The Central American countries
whose delegates are to come to Wash
ington are not great powers. In fact,
they are among the minor countries Of
the world, but there is a feeling in
Washington that something of great
good to the world may come out of
the conference, which soon is to be
held in this city.
1t is just about a year ago that the
great conference called to discuss the
limitation of ornaments and Far
East problems was held in this city.
Navy matters were discussed and to
some extent settled at that gathering,
but. the land ornaments problems
were unSolved.
In Central America there has been
through the years succession OF war
like troubles, internal revolutions and
wars between the different countries,
the latter occurring occasionally upon
very small provocation.
1t is known that at the coming con-
ference the question of land disarma-
ment will be discussed, or at any rate
partial disarmament. 1t seems to be
agreed that If something along this
line can be accomplished there will
be less danger in the future of trouble
between Central American countries.
May Set Example for Europe.
The discussion of partial disarma-
ment will not, of course, and cannot
have any direct reference to like mat
tiers in Europe, but for some reason
there is a very definite hope in Wash
ington that the example of this little
conference" may be followed by some
greater conference, and that eventu-
ally the land ornaments of the great
powers materially may be decreased
and the chances increased of pro-
longed peace.
A real Pan-American union has been
dream of American representative
leaders of both parties for a great
many years. The first step toward a
real union was taken when James O..
Blaine was secretary of state, many
years ago. True Pan-American union
never has been reached, although
progress toward a better understand
ing between the countries of the west
ern hemisphere has been fairly steady.
If the United States were not so big
and so overshadowing in its strength,
it is probable that a union of sympa-
thy and of commerce and of general
understanding would have been
reached between the countries of the
New World great many years ago.
American statesmen have been met
constantly in their endeavOrS to bring
about an understanding by evidences
of a feeling in the smaller countries
to the south that the great republic
was selfish in its desires and that
under the guise of friendship it was
reaching out for advantages.
monitor Nation" Plan Dropped.
Some years ago when there were
threatenings of trouble between two
Latin-American republics the United
States conceived plan by which sew
eral of the larger Latin-American re-
publics should assume the duties OF
monitor nations" 1t was thought
that if Brazil, Argentina, Chilli and
one or two other countries should take
over the persuasive and pacifying
work of keeping order that the smaller
Il %I,A ~
but forceful interference as much as
they would resent it if it came from
the United States.
This plan was tried for a while and
in one case when two Central Ameri-
can countries were having trouble ii
produced good results, but the plan
today no longer is in operation. Mex
leo, which was stable at the time, was
named as one of the monitor nations.
Then Mexico got into trouble on its
own account, and so the world had
the spectacle of one monitor nation
very much in need of admOniShing on
its own account.
The Monroe Doctrine stands in the
way of the seizure of American terri
tory by foreign powers. 1t generally
is accepted as a bulwark of territorial
defense for the Latin-American coun-
tries, but nevertheless there is some
resentment in these countries because
of the Monroe Doctrine. 1t is a mat
ter of pride with the Latin-Americans.
They have gone so far as to say "We
can look after our own territory The
question is, can they?