Evening star., 1938-04-17
Pan>American Nations Make
Plans for Peace Pacts in Peru
Formation of Court of international Justice and of
Association of Countries Among Chief
Topics on December Agenda

detailed examination Of few most i'm
portant topics has gained in recent years.
Popular interest will center in organi-
zation of peace, which will be tackled from
the standpoint of perfection and co-ordina-
ton of existing peace instruments as well
as OF the American league and court of
justice. In addition a new declaration Il
being sought with respect to the Aneri.
can doctrine Of non-recognition Of terri
tory acquired by force, at the instance
OF Venezuela.
The attitude OF the United States un.
doubtedly will be the controlling factor in
each OF these projects. Hitherto WASH
ington has manifested distinct coolness to
the American League and court plans. but
the State Department does recognize the
need for greater coordination Of existing
peace instruments, and may be expected
to support it. as well as the declaration
with respect to non-recognition of forceful
acquisitions, a policy 1t has consistently
followed toward Manchukuo and Italys
Ethiopian empire.
Reappraisal Of Program.
Secretary of State Cordell Hull is likely
70 devote his most concentrated attention
to inter-American commercial policy,
which will entail reappraisal of his re-
ciprocal trade program, inasmuch as the
conference is to work for the elimination
OF restrictions and limitations on interna-
tional trade and application Of the most
favorednation clause
The Hull trade program has certain dis
tinctly Latin American antecedents for the
Montevideo conference In 1893 paved the
way for the reciprocal trade act Of 1894
by adopting resolution urging American
nations to negotiate bilateral and multi
lateral agreements for the removal of trade
prohibitions and restrictions, with reten-
tion Of the unconditional moet-favoced.
nation clause.
Although this country has negotiated no
multilateral trade agreements, it has fol-
lowed the Montevideo declaration closely
In other respects. Reciprocal agreements
are now in force with nine Latin American
countries: Cuba Haiti Brazil. Honduras,
Colombia Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Sal
vador and Costa Rica. In addition an
agreement is contemplated with Venezuela
and intention to negotiate with Ecuador
was declared April S, 1887. although COM
pletion Of the agreement Is being delayed
by inability to span certain fundamental
divergencies Of commercial policy. Ecuador
holds to trade balancing theories which are
incompatible with Secretary Hull's ideas.
Highway to Be Discussed.
Another high spot in discussion Of eco
nomic problems will be the Pan-American
highway, work on which Is progressing in
Mexico and Central America toward It's
completion as far as Panama. Ultimately
this gigantic boulevard will extend down
both the east and west coasts Of South
America, linking New York, San Francisco
and Chicago to Rio de Janeiro. Buenos
Aires and Santiago with an all-weather
automobile route.
The Lima conferees also will examine
the advisability Of creating an Inter-
American Institute Of Economics and
Finance, as well as the establishment Of
an organ to effect uniformity Of CONNER
cial and civil law in the American CONT
nents.
Usually prosaic studies Of the dsvslop-
ment Of international law and its codAhca-
ton will be enlivened by the inclusion Of
recognition Of belligerency as matter for
only in the light Of the diverse practices Of
Latin Amerian countries with regard to
the civil war In Spain, but in relation. rs
well, to the use Of recognition Of bellie-
erency as a mode Of Intervention In the
internal affairs Of countries gr1pped by
civil strife.
Chance to Work for Front
The United States will have an oppor-
tunity to further its efforts to create an
American democratic front to counteract
the effect Of Fascist and Communist propa-
ganda in the southern republics. DISCUS
sions Of intellectual cooperation and moral
disarmament which In previous conferences
have received little serious interest will
set the stage at Lima for endeavors to repel
the infusion Of non-Amertcan doctrines
into the Western Hemisphere.
The functions Of the Pan-Anerican
Union are to be reconsidered in relation to
the possibility Of cooperation, in ooujunc-
ton with periodic international conferences,
with other international entities, such as
tho League OF Nations and the Interna-
tional Labor ONCE.
Women will have a distinct share In the
work Of the conference with presentation
Of q report from the Inter-American Com
mission Of Women, Of which Miss Doris
Stevens Is chairman. Other reports also
will be received on the status Of treaties
and conventions signed at previous con-
ferences, and studies made Of the results
Of nter-American conferences held since
the seventh at Montevideo
The Lima deliberations will represent, on
the whole, q co-ordinated effort to solidify
the peace Of the American hemisphere not
only by the perfection of peace machinery
which will operate automatically in case Of
disputes, but which will operate also for
the removal Of the economic. political and
social causes Of controversy which are likely
b be the sources Of future friction.