Evening star., 1936-09-20

OF articles on the "New Pan-Amer-
tcantsm" and the forthcoming
Peace Congress at Buenos Ares.)
BY BRENT DOW ALLINSON.
Josephus Daniels, United States Am
bassador to Mexico, on the occasion Of
q recent visit to this country lauded the
peace congress to be held at Buenos
Aires this Fall as spur to better feel
ing among nations of the Western
Hemisphere and to world peace.
II am glad" said Mr.. Daniels, "that
The Star is taking proper interest In
this notable projected gathering Of the
American nations at Buenos Aires. In
view of alarming events abroad, this
meeting of American minds in the
Western Hemisphere may be the most
important international event In many
years. Indeed, long shadows are being
cast before the event by the light Of
the rising American ideal, and
the leaders and principal journals Of
Mexico and Central America are look
ing toward 1t with an expectancy OF
hope and interest which promises much
for world peace and more for the peace
of the 81 afiiliated American republics.
Suggestion Accepted Promptly.
"The best augury that out Of the
Buenos Aires Conference there will
develop measures of closer cooperation
and surer guarantees Of peace Is seen
in the prompt acceptance by the heads
Of the 81 nations of President Roose-
velt's suggestion of that conference.
In his invitation to the heads Of gov
ernments. departing from the custom
ary diplomatic processes. President
Roosevelt said: I cherish the sincere
conviction that the moment has now
arrived when the American republics,
through their designated representa-
tives seated at a common council table,
should seize the favorable opportunity
to consider their joint responsibility
and common need of rendering less
likely In the future the outbreak of hos
tilities between them, and, by so doing.
serve in an eminently practical man
ner the cause Of permanent peace on
this Western continent He expressed
the belief that the conference would
advance the cause of world peace
President Cardenas voiced the spirit
Of Mexican desire for the objects set
forth by President Roosevelt when, in
accepting the invitation to participate,
he said that he views with favor the
opportunity to discuss pan-American
problems ON an elevated plane of
serenity and on q basis of absolute
equality for all countries and he
therefore determined to offer the most
enthusiastic cooperation for the reali-
zation of your noble idea
Castillo to Head Mexicans.
"You do well to seek out the views
Of some of my diplomatic colleagues
from Latin America. like DR.. Castillo
Najera, who is scheduled to head the
Mexican delegation at the conference
at Buenos Aires and who sp.aks for
remarkable nation of more than
10000, 900 souls, whom the forces of
history have made our nearest Span
ish-speaking neighbor. and whom the
skill and vision Of American states
manship ought to bind close to US
in unbroken democratic fellowship in
perpetuity.
Unfortunately. we know less about
our Mexican neighbors than we ought
to, and often fail to appreciate the
wonderful beauty, the undeveloped
natural resources and noble cultural
heritage Of the Mexican people. It Is
the hope Of people on both sides of
the Rio Grande, which is in many
places so narrow and shallow that it
| can be waded across at some sea-
sons. that the rectification of the
river bed. now jointly undertaken by
Mexico and the United States, will
prevent floods and create a permanent.
settled boundary that will unite rather
than divide the two countries.
The American investment of
around a billion dollars is a large
stake in Mexico and a binding tie, as
Is the presence Of over 10000 citizens
OF the United States who reside and
work there, seeking commercial op-
portunities along many lines, from
turpentine groves to industrial plants,
IS well as mines of minerals and pe-
troleum. There Is q steady and graft
tying growth Of trade between us and
Mexico, both Of imports and exports.
Merchandise exported from the United
States to Mexico in 1884 amounted to
SIS, ,061 ,282-and increased to $685.
576,275 in 1885, an increase Of $l0,-
514,993-in the course of one year.
This march Of increase is continuing
in 1896; the first five months of this
year show an increase Of $3,156, 900
over the corresponding period Of 1885.
This Is at the rate of about s63l, 200
a month, and serves to indicate the
high potentialities of foreign trade as
factor in economic recovery.
"Our merchandise imports from
Mexico have similarly increased from
about $35 1876 900 in 1894, to $42, ,325,-
900 in 1885, and the increase has con.
tinued in the first five months of the
present year at q rate Of 1885, 900 .
month.
151,655 Reported Jobless.
II am told that today there are
only Isl, ,655 men recorded on the list
Of the unemployed in Mexico. I am
not prepared to vouch for the ac-
curacy of the figure but very little is
heard of the unemployment situation.
The Mexican government is giving
employment to large number on its
big road construction programs and
other public works. More building is
going on in Mexico City, according to
recent American visitors, than in any
city Of like population in the United
States. An increased production Of
oil and silver has contributed to in
creased employment; and and in
crease of wages of about 16 per cent,
due to payment for one day Of rest.
has brought an increased demand for
goods and resulted in larger retail and
wholesale movement. The production
Of the principal metals in 1885 showed
q substantial increase over 1894, with
the exception Of copper. Gold and
silver production likewise increased,