Evening star., 1927-10-10
Secretary, Opening Confer
enCe, Says New Methods
Would Aid Cooperation.
ENJOYS OF 21 AMERICAN
REPUBLICS AT MEETING
Dumont Elected Chairman of Or.
ganization-Program
to Be Planned.

ing the Pan-American Commission on
Simplification and Standardization OF
Consular Procedure today, declared
that the successful accomplishment of
this purpose would further demon
strate the spirit of cooperation which
unites the II American republics.
Although admitting that inter
American trade has been retarded by
conflicting consular requirements. Sec
retary Kellogg cautioned the commits
sion against attempting to put into
effect too much regulation.
After calling attention to the fact
that "a certain amount of regulation
is necessary to protect the national
interests of the respective govern
ments," Mr.. Kellogg asserted that it is
nevertheless a matter of Importance
to all countries that these regulations
should be reduced to a minimum and
that they should be made as simple as
possible.
Program to Be Planned.
Representatives from the II Ameri-
can republics gathered about the con-
ference table in the Columbus room
of the Pan-American Union Building
for their sessions. which will continue
for about four days. A recess of about
a week will then be taken. after which
the sessions will be resumed and
comprehensive program prepared for
submission to the Pan-American Con-
ference at Havana next January. DR..
Leo S. Rowe, director general of the
Union. presided at the
informal opening of the session to-
day, and introduced Secretary of
State Kellogg as the head of the gov
nd nr4 M
the Minister from Colombia. who is
vice chairman of the board. also -eX
tended a welcome to the conference.
Purposes of the regulations in con-
sular procedure, for which the con-
ference was called. Secretary Kellogg
pointed out, should be not to hinder
trade. but to facilitate commerce,
thereby promoting the expansion of
and contributing to the
wealth and prosperity of the Nation. "
IF. in addition to thus simplifying
the requirements, he added, "a GER
tain degree of uniformity could be
reached as the consular practice and |
procedure of the 81 republics of the |
American continent, marked sep |
will have been taken, and the |
further demonstrations of the spirit |
Of mutual helpfulness and cooperation
which unites them.
Task Is Arduous.
''Your task is an arduous one" Mr.. |
Kellogg said in conclusion, 'but it will
be constant stimulus to you to know
that the solution of the problems in
cluded in your agenda will mean |
great service to all the republics mem
bers OF the Pan-American Union.
DIR. Olaya, in his address to the con-
declared that 1.-The Importance |
Of the studies intrusted to this COM
mission is universally recognized" " |
Its assembly" he added, lis in |
obedience to the conviction, expressed !
both by tha governing board of the |
Pan-American Union and by the COM |
mercial conference which met here |
early this year, that it would be highly |
advantageous to make a serious study |
Of the laws and practice of consular |
procedure in an endeavor to bring |
about standardization in matters |
which affect the commercial develop |
nent of the nations representatives"
The meeting of this commission !
DR.. Olaya pointed out, indicates "once |
more how well founded is the opinion |
Of those who have already believed |
that, as one writer on the subject says. |
the post of consul carries with it one |
Of the greatest responsibilities in the |
service of the foreign policy of any |
government, for the functions of con-
'uls require many different kinds of |
talent, high order of intelligence and |
attention.
Dumont Named Chairman.
Immediately after the opening ad-
IN {
and got down to bust
ness.
Frederick r. F. Dumont, consul
general attached TO the State De-
oartment staff and the American
delegate to the conference, was
elected chairman on motion of DR.. |
Juan V. Ramirez, charge d'affaires
Of Paraguay.
Henry Chalmers. chief of the tariff |
division of the Bureau OF Foreign |
and Domestic Commerce. was elected |
secretary general of the conference.
Guests at Luncheon.
Delegates to the conference, consist
Ing mainly of the commercial attaches |
In the United States and the consuls |
general in New York of the various
American republics, proceeded with |
out delay after the necessary organ
Izing work had been completed today |
to consideration of the topics in their
program. These were grouped under
four main subjects: Consular docu-
ments, consular fees, consular prac-
tees and procedure and documenta-
ton for parcel post shipments.
At the conclusion of the morning
session the delegates were guests of
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