study and report on the subject of Customs Union, and taking into consideration what has been said by both parties during the long and enlightened debate just ended, I am led to think that it would be convenient to leave a statement explaining the meaning and reasons of the vote I gave on this subject. Wishing this declaration to be spread on the minutes, I shall make it as brief as possible.

In giving my assent to the report of the majority, whose direct recommendation to the Governments is limited to the celebration of reciprocity treaties with one or more of the American nations with whom it should be convenient to make them, and on bases that in each case could be considered acceptable, I have understood that rather than being at present practicable, the establishment of a Customs Union has been clearly stated to be the opposite. Otherwise the recommendation would have been made to enter into a Customs Union, and not to do something that is a great deal less than that, as would be the case if treaties of reciprocity were only made; but even this is so mildly recommended that it does not in the least compromise the liberty of action of the nations to whom it is sent, and who are to decide upon it in the manner and under such circumstances or opportunities as they may see fit.

The actual condition of the United States and the Latin American Republics, as the report of the majority so well expresses it, is not such as would permit the establishment of a Customs Union, and for that reason, and as a consequence thereof, the committee, who could not recommend it, limited itself to suggest only that which it considered practicable at present. In the same way that I believe that the committee would have clearly and expressly proposed the adoption of a Customs Union if it had been found practicable, I do not understand why said committee, just because it is impracticable now, should declare it impossible. The Conference has been convened to study all matters of general interest to the Nations of America, and with the view of recommending to their respective Governments for final adoption, the matters that will tend to bring said nations closer together, to prevent war be

tween them, to establish close and friendly relations, to develop commerce and reciprocal exchange, and do away with those differences which constitute the main obstacles. to their more cordial, free, and frequent communications. In addition to the fact that the declaration that a Customs Union is impracticable is something more than a recommendation, and is not limited to the present time, the said declaration could not respond, in my opinion, to the spirit of the act of Congress. By merely not recommending the Customs Union, and recommending instead the negotiation of reciprocity treaties, the purposes of the act of Congress are fully accomplished. No undue obligation is imposed upon the countries represented by us, nor is a declaration made which if conducive to something could certainly be to something different from the purposes of the invitation.

I believe that a committee called upon to act in this matter, especially in an assembly which is purely consultative, has a greater amplitude of action than a judge to whom a case is submitted and whose decision must embrace all the essential points of the controversy. The idea of the Conference is without any doubt to do everything possible in order to respond to the great purposes had in view, and if in any matter the whole thing can not be done, it is lawful and proper to do something at least. This without taking into consideration that the act of the Congress of the United States which authorized the President to call this Conference together states the matter herein referred to with sufficient clearness.

True it is that the difficulties for the establishment of a Customs Union are at present great, and probably insurmountable; but the advantages which treaties of reciprocity, limited to certain articles and concluded upon especial bases to be established in each case, could afford are manifest.

The foregoing considerations explain well the reason why I had not the pleasure to accede to the proposition that the minority report should be voted upon. The recommendation of the majority acknowledges the present impracticability of the Customs Union, and besides this I

do not believe that two different reports on one and the same subject can ever be accepted. One having been accepted, and with it the recommendation which it makes, all others are thereby excluded.

I think that at the proper time all the amendments and modifications deemed to be proper can be introduced in the report of the majority, but after the said report is approved all other votes are, in my opinion, improper.

In recapitulation the delegation of Guatemala will say that, although in its opinion the especial declaration made by the minority ought not to have been made, it nevertheless concurs in the idea that a Customs Union between all the nations of America is at present impracticable; but for the same reason it thinks that it is proper to recommend at least the negotiation of reciprocity commercial treaties.

This meaning of the report of the majority is also the meaning of my vote on this subject.

FERNANDO CRUZ.

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CONFERENCE AS ADOPTED.

To recommend to such of the Governments represented in the Conference as may be interested in the concluding of partial reciprocity, commercial treaties, to negotiate such treaties with one or more of the American countries as it may be in their interest to make them, under such a basis as may be acceptable in each case, taking into consideration the special situation, conditions, and interests of each country, and with a view to promote their common welfare.

COMMUNICATION ON THE ATLANTIC.

REPORT OF THE COMMittee on COMMUNICATION ON THE ATLANTIC.

[As submitted and adopted by the Conference.]

To the President of the International American Confer

ence:

The Committee on Communication on the Atlantic has the honor to address itself to the President in order that he may be pleased to make known to the honorable Conference the agreement arrived at by the respective delegations concerning the encouragement of navigation on the Atlantic.

The committee hopes that the honorable Conference will view with pleasure the success of these labors, and moves the adoption of the following resolution:

The International American Conference, etc., would see with satisfaction the Governments interested in communications on the Atlantic give their assent to the plan subscribed to by their representatives. It salutes the President with its most distinguished consideration.

T. JEFFERSON COOLIDGE.
SALVADOR DE MENDONÇA.
ROQUE SAENZ PEÑA.
JOSÉ S. Decoud.

PLAN.

First.-The Committee on Communication on the Atlantic resolves to recommend to the respective Governments the aiding of one or more lines of steam navigation between ports of the United States and those of Brazil and Rio de la Plata.

Second. The companies receiving Government aid shall establish a fast bi-monthly service of steam navigation between the ports of the United States, Rio Janeiro, Montevideo, and Buenos Ayres, and the vessels shall have the accommodations and capacity necessary for the transportation of freight and passengers, and shall carry the mails. Third. These steam-ships shall only touch at one port of the intermediary countries on the trips to and from Buenos Ayres; but during the quarantine season they shall only discharge mails and passengers and shall not embark anything subject to infection. In the countries of clearance and ultimate destination, they may touch at two ports.

Fourth. The speed of the fast steam-ships shall be at least 16 knots per hour and they shall be of not less than 5,000 tons, and a time schedule of arrivals at and departure from the ports shall be established in conformity with the speed required.

Fifth.-Your committee recommends also an auxiliary line of freight steam-ships which shall sail twice a month. making not less than 12 knots an hour, and touching at ports of the United States and Brazil. The United States of America and the Republic of Brazil shall pay one-half each of the amounts paid to these vessels, taking into due consideration the contract of the existing line with the latter Government.

Sixth. The awarding of the contract with the steamship companies shall take place in the city of New York; bids being solicited of the companies by advertisement in at least five daily newspapers having the largest circulation in each contracting country. The advertisement shall designate a time within which proposals may be presented, which time shall not be less than ninety days. The bids are to be opened in the presence of the representatives appointed for this purpose by the Governments interested.

Seventh.-Bidders must state the tonnage of the vessels, in accordance with article four, and the amount of Government aid required, calculating the latter at the rate per ton for every 1,000 miles, and also the amount of payment for the round trip.