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dated the convention of Rio de Janeiro. The sanitary convention of Lima is a public acknowledgment of that competency. At Lima the convention of Rio de Janeiro was taken as a basis, as in Rio de Janeiro the convention of Rome served as a basis, and as in all probability the very notable physicians of Rome took for their basis the classic treatises anterior to their assemblage; but it does not follow from this, Mr. President, that because the physicians of a later date have recognized in a loyal and scientific manner the competency of their predecessors that they should be called mere copyists, and it is this reflection upon them that I have deemed it my duty to correct.

As the honorable Conference has heard it stated several times, there is no radical difference; there is some as to details; the researches, the reports which preceded the convention of Lima were as complete as those which took place before that of Rio de Janeiro was promulgated, and it was after deep reflection, after mature examination and research, that the several slight (if so considered), but effective modifications were introduced that were required in the document.

Turning aside from this unpleasant phase of the matter and returning to the essential question, I think that the honorable Conference should bear in mind that though in substance the requirements in sanitary matters are the same among all nations, it may very well happen that certain details, certain formalities, are more suitable according to the needs of the country or according to its latitude; and if this is so I think there is no objection in presenting to the several American nations a wider field from

which to choose, a more comprehensive set of formalities and details, from among which they can select such as in their judgment are best adapted to their particular rquirements. The committee, as it has already stated, sees no cause whatever for a conflict out of this alternative recommendation; it can not conceive how such a conflict can arise when the examination of both conventions may lead to a desirable conclusion. This would be a matter very easily arranged, of very simple regulation looking to harmony, and which would create no difficulty among the nations here represented.

Mr. ALFONSO. I would like to know, before speaking, if the suggestion which has been made that this matter be recommitted to the committee, in order that the latter may or may not propose one of the conventions is still pending?

The PRESIDENT. The Chair is of the opinion that it is not pending, because that incident originated from the proposition made by the honorable Delegate from Mexico; but the latter having been withdrawn, there is no objection to the voting on the report, unless some other Delegate proposes that the report be sent back to the committee.

Mr. ALFONSO. I had thought that the honorable Delegate from Guatemala had made that suggestion.

Mr. ROMERO. But it was only on account of the proposition made by the Mexican delegation; and as the latter was withdrawn I think that the report is the only thing before the Conference. However, if the honorable Delegate wishes to make a motion to that effect, so far as I am concerned, I have no objection to having it considered.

Mr. ALFONSO. I do not propose it, Mr. President; it seems to me a useless proceeding. I think, moreover, that should this report be sent back to the committee we would obtain the same result, so that it would only occasion a loss of time. But since I am addressing the Conference, I will state something which I wish recorded in the minutes concerning the special situation of the Chilian Delegation.

In my judgment the committee should have proposed one of the sanitary conventions referred to in its report, and chosen that of Lima or that of Rio de Janeiro, instead of recommending the adoption of an alternative. I believe this was its mission, and that in this manner there would have been a greater probability of attaining the uniformity sought for. Although similar, these two conventions are not identical, notwithstanding it is evident that that of Lima was constructed upon the basis of that of Rio de Janeiro. It may be set down, therefore, that the sanitary congress of Lima meant to introduce, did introduce, some modifications of the result of the labors of that of Rio de Janeiro; otherwise it would have simply accepted it without change. Hence the peculiar predicament in which the Chilian Delegation finds itself in this affair.

The Lima convention has been signed by a Chilian Delegate and approved by his Government. Between it and that of Rio de Janeiro the Delegation does not hesitate, but asks that the former be recommended; its negative vote upon the report of the committee, which asks the Conference to recommend either the one or the other of said conventions, has this signifi

cance.

Mr. GUZMAN. The remarks of the honorable Dele-gate from Chili place the question in a new light. It is thereby made evident that this report can not be approved unanimously.

I would have voted for the return of the report to the committee in order to secure this unánimity, but if the committee were to report recommending the draft of the Lima convention it would then have three votes against it; at least two, as the honorable Delegate for Uruguay has unfortunately withdrawn. from this Conference; those votes would be those of the Argentine Republic and Brazil. Now, if the committee should recommend the convention of Rio de Janeiro, that my colleagues on the committee should accept it, seeing that one of its members is the Delegate for Peru, we would certainly have against it the vote of the Chilian Delegation. So that we could not secure unanimity in favor of our report, and this serves to prove that the committee had good reasons for recommending the adoption of either of them, in order to avoid these difficulties.

I wish to make a further remark in this connection. While we recommended the study of the two conventions it never could have been our intention to recommend to the countries of America the observance of both, for, however small the difference between them may be, I do not know how one can recommend the simultaneous observance of two things which are not exactly alike.

Another honorable Delegate proposed that in the resolution of the report "or" should be inserted instead of "and." I am not in favor of that modification. It seems to me that this debate could have

been spared by simply recommending to the nations of America the study of the conventions of Rio de Janeiro and Lima, to the end that, after having studied them, they should pronounce in favor of one of the two. This suggestion was made to me by one of my colleagues; but the report was already drawn and for this reason it was not presented in this form; but since we can not obtain a unanimous report I beg the honorable President to permit it to be voted upon. The PRESIDENT. No one desiring to speak, the report will be voted upon.

VOTE.

The Secretary proceeded to record the vote, with the result that the votes in the affirmative were:

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The PRESIDENT. The report of the Committee on Sanitary Regulations is approved.

RECOMMENDATIONS AS ADOPTED.

The International American Conference, in consideration of the following facts:

That under the existing state of the relations between the nations of America, it is practicable, as it is advisable for the promotion of these relations, to establish perfect accord with respect to sanitary regulations;

That the greater part of the ports of South America on

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