Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-04
Pan-America to Take Stock

OF each individual state, says the Pam
American Union Bulletin, It Is also
recognized that the rates contained in
a tariff act may have a far-reaching
effect and important consequences upon
the industry, trade and national econ
omy Of other nations.
1t is probably knowing that the Pam
American Union had such q liberal view
on the tariff problem that the Mexi-
can delegation has already announced
an open, decided attack on high Gus
toms duties in the conference.
Possibility of the establishment of or
adherence to bank specializing in in
ternational settlements will be promi-
nent among the topics presented for
discussion. 1t has been pointed out that
bank fer interamerican settlements,
protecting gold without shipping it
from country to country promoting the
cooperation Of central banks and act
ing as a bank CT clearance and settle
ments restrictions, would perform q
most valuable service TO all financial
transactions OF the American countries
Undoubtedly exchange facilities for
international commercial transactions
would be greatly developed by the es-
adjustment of such an institution. and
payments in foreign currencies would be
placed upon a much more stable and
liquid basis than exists at present.
The development Of tourist travel Is
another OF the topics On the list. The
conference Is to consider various steps
that may be taken to facilitate tourist
travel between the American republics,
such as simplification Of passport re-
quirementS, speeding up of customs ex-
aminatlonS, establishment of tourist
bureaus or agencies by means Of which
information could be supplied to travel
ers and other measures The union
stresses the fact that expenditures made
by tourists have become = major item
In the national economy of many coun-
tries, especially in Europe.
Simplifcation and Standardization of
consular procedure within the American
republics Is also in the agenda on the
conference. Inasmuch as complete uni
form1ty In all phases Of consular pro-
cedure Is considered as impossible of
immediate realization, according to the
Pan-American Union, it has been sug-
gested that adoption Of measures cover
ing cases In which the ma jority Of the
countries are already baSically in accord
should first be attempted. followed bv
later action 10 bring agreement on
those phases Of the question upon which
there is divergence OF opinion or
practice at the present time.
Problems of overproduction and the
measures adopted for the sterilization
Of certain industries In Latin American
countries will be studied by the dele
gates to the Fourth Pan-American Com
mercial Conference. The nitrate. sugar.
coffee and tin agreements recently con-
cluded in Chile, Cuba, Brazil, Bolivia.
etc, are mentioned in this connection.
Advantages and disadvantages to the
American republics in the establishment
Of free port or foreign trade zones,
with particular emphasis upon the cir
cumstances under which these zones
could be successfully created and main
tanned, will also be discussed at the
sessions Of the conference.
As If all this were not enough, the
agenda Of the Pan-American Conference
still lists several other topics to be
taken up: Trade promotion In its vari-
| Gus phases; transportation and COM
munication development by air, land
and water; customs regulations; cur
rency sterilization, financial statistical
services, and national ana international
juridical questions.
For the good Of pan-AmericaniSm
let US hope that the delegates to this
most opportune international gathering
will have time to 60 over all these
pressing problems Of interamerican re-
lations.
(Copyright, 1917