Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1927-12-23

Ono Of the most important matters to come up
fer consideration mt the international conference,
which will convene in Havana January 1e, is that Of
the construction OF a ~Pan-Ameriean railroad, connect
ing the United States with all republics south Of the
Rio Grande.
Tha ~Pan-Americsn railroad was first advocated in
the late 70s by James C. Blaine, who. declared it was
Of vital Importance to the American people that the
railway be constructed linking up all American eoun-
tries, and assuring closer relations between them.
Laid upon the shelf for many years the subject was
again taken up at the international conference in Chile
IN 1929. when a resolution was adopted for the re-or-
xanixation Of the Pan-Ameriean railway committee
under the direction Of the board Of the Pan-Ameriean
Union.
Committees were appointed at the Chilean meet
ing 70 recommend routes, and it Is understood they
have their reports completed for presentation when
.ha Havana conference convenes. The tentative routes
recommend either Brownsville or Laredo as the cross
inr Of the Rio Grande; thence to Mexico City; through
Guatemala 10 Panama, and across tie plateau region
Of South America. Laredo will probably be favored
a. the Mexican border port unless a railroad Is con-
structed from Brownsville to Tampico' providing Det-
ter connections with Mexico City.
Considerable study has been devoted to this pro-
feet by the official delegates Of the various nations
and according to Washington reports the opinion pre-
walls that the Latin American countries could now
finance the road. American delegates VIII probably
propose that the engineering be handled by the Unit
u 1tN o4A
country should assist.
Considerable impetus will be given the project by
she fact that the movement to inaugurate aerial mai
and commercial service between the United States and
the Latin republics is well underway, and IS generally
regarded rs practically assured. Proponents Of the
railroad point out that this will serve to strengthen
the position Of the railroad project. which they assert
IN necessary to supplement the commercial develop
men. that will follow the establishment OF the arr
service.
That the delegates from the United States will 20
a the Havana conference with the intention Of sup
portinr any logical project for the development Of
communications between this country and the repubE
lies south Of the Rio Grande is virtually assured
President Coolidge has already set his seal Of approval
upon the proposed Pan-American highway; American
business and political leaders are insistent IN their
demands for the establishment of Latin-Ameriean air
msiI service, and will be equally insistent that the
United States aid and foster any logical plan which
NAV be advanced for the construction of a Pan-Ameri-
can railroad.
The future commercial and political relations be-
tween the United States and the Latin-American eoun-
tries viii depend TO no small extent upon the results
Of the Havana conference, and conditions and senti-
ment throughout ~Latin-America was never more pro-
pitious for the United States 10 form a union which
will promote for all nations OF the western hemisphere
a condition Of prosperity such as they have never ex-
pcTieneed.