The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1936-06-12
TREND OF WORLD AFFAIRS
Prepared by
LUCY MEACHAM THRUSTON

LUCY MEACHAM THhUSION
With the tragic news of the fate of
Ethiopia and the attempts at adj
justing European conditions to the
questions arising from this crisis,
with grave matters before the Lea
que for discussion and-it is hoped
settlement; and with rumblings
against the Versailles Treaty at
tempts at Analysing German move
ments, present and future, and fore
casting those of Austria and Italy,
developments in the Pan American
movement have faded from the front
page headlines Yet South American
countries are now carrying out their
centenary festivities in honor of their
different states breaking loose from
European control Spanish Mostly
and pointing with pride" to the
progress made in these hundred
years.
The independence of the United
States established in the last quarter
of the eighteenth century seems
aeons away, though it is historically
near The independence of the South
American States was gained later, in
the first and second decades of the
nineteenth century, thus bringing
around the centennial dates; and
along with the remembrance of past
achievements energies the vision of
this newer goal of close unity be-
tween the divisions of the American
continent. This ideal was first pre-
scented by South America, by Simon
Bolivar, hailed as Liberator. He
succeeded in calling conference of
American republics at Panama but
the United States, while accepting
the invitation, did not send any dele
gates. Nor did the United States
take any part in the following con-
ferences held in different South
American lands. Not until 1882 did
The United States waken to the OPP
portunities such conferences present
ed. James Blaine was then Secre-
tary of State. He realized that two
detectives might be attained through
such meetings: (D improvement of
trade relations; (2) the fostering of
peace. The first Pan American con-
ference meeting in response to the
U. S. invitation, met in Washington
1889, the second such conference met
in Mexico City, a third at Rio de
Janerio in 1906, the fourth at
Buenos Aires in 1910. The Pan
American Bureau was established,
with headquarters at Washington
and later housed in the magnificent
building, erected through the gener-
osity of Andrew Carnegie.
There was long interval between
the fourth and fifth meetings, the
chaos of the World War and it's
aftermath being responsible. Since
this fifth meeting in 1923 the con-
ferences have been held at regular
intervals, while special conferences
have been called to consider special
subjects. A most important con-
ference, the inter-American Peace
Conference, will meet at Buenos
Aires in June. Representatives from
the States have been meeting in
Washington, with Secretary of State
Cordell Hull as Chairman, and have
been ironing out the agenda. A
modified League of Nations Gov
enant" for the Amricas, but with no
provisions for economic or military
sanctions is the underlying aim of
the conference. And since several of
the American republics are members
of the League of Nations, it is safe
to conclude that no proposals which
might seem to modify the Leagues
provisions by setting up conflicting
agreements, will be entertained.