*** At the time that proposal was put forth the President expressed the fervid hope that by the date fixed for the meeting of the congress the questions now dividing some of the republics of the southern continent would have disappeared, and that the representatives of the several commonwealths could meet with freedom to discuss the future aspects of the question [preservation of peace on the continent], unaffected by any existing national difficulties.

"The President, however, now directs me to instruct you to inform the Government of*** that inasmuch as that peaceful condition of the South American republics, which was contemplated as essential to a profitable and harmonious assembling of the congress, does not exist, and he having besides on the 18th day of April, 1882, submitted the proposition to Congress without evoking an expression of its views on the subject, and no provision having been made by it for such a congress, he is constrained to postpone the projected meeting until some future day. *** You will communicate this dispatch to the minister for foreign relations of *** at an early day by reading it to him, and, if he shall so desire, leaving with him a copy of it." 1

THE INTERNATIONAL AMERICAN CONFERENCE, 1890.

Beginning with the year 1880, various legislation was proposed in congress looking to a closer commercial and political union with the Latin American states. On January 21, 1880, the Hon. David Davis introduced in the Senate, by request of Mr. Hinton Rowen Helper, a "bill for the encouragement of closer commercial relationship between the United States and the Republics of Mexico, Central America, the Empire of Brazil, and the several Republics of South America." The proposition was to call a congress of American States, to consider the question of an international railway.

On the 24th of April, 1882, Senator Cockrell, of Missouri, at the suggestion of Mr. Helper, introduced a bill for a similar

1 The attitude of the government of the United States in respect to the war between Chili and Peru, and in respect to certain boundary disputes between Spanish-American States, had engendered a strong feeling of resentment against the United States in many of those States. On the subject of these Congresses, See, International American Conference, IV., 202–289.

purpose, which provided for a commission to visit South America. Senator Morgan, of Alabama, introduced a like bill the same day, particularly aimed at the construction of an international railroad.

Similar bills were introduced in the House of Representatives at this time, and were referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. The Committee reported, June 20, adversely, and no further action was taken. But the same or similar bills were introduced in both Houses the following year (1883). One of these, offered in the House by Mr. Townshend, of Illinois, proposed the establishment of a "customs union of America."

On the 3d of March, 1884, Mr. Cockrell re-introduced, in the Senate, his bill of 1882, which was favorably reported by the Committee on Foreign Relations; and a similar bill in the House received a favorable report from the like Committee in that body. The substance of these bills became a law in the form of an amendment to the act making appropriations for the consular and diplomatic service for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885.

Under the authority of this act the President appointed a commission, consisting of George H. Sharpe, of New York; Solon O. Thacher, of Kansas; and Thomas C. Reynolds, of Missouri, with William Eleroy Curtis as secretary, to visit the several countries of Central and South America, to ascertain the best modes of securing more intimate international and commercial relations. Mr. Sharpe having resigned, in March, 1885, W. E. Curtis was appointed commissioner to succeed him. The reports of this commission are to be found in H. R. Ex. Doc. 226, Forty-eighth Congress, second session, and H. R. Ex. Doc. 50, Forty-ninth Congress, first session. The reports recommended that an invitation be extended by the United States to the several other governments of America to join at Washington in a conference to promote commercial intercourse and to prepare some plan of arbitration.

In 1886, bills proposing a customs union, to promote arbitration, to construct an international railway, and for a common silver coin, were introduced and adversely reported upon in both houses. Finally, however, Mr. McCreary, of Kentucky, reported from the Committee on Foreign Relations of the House (April 15, 1886) a bill authorizing the President to

arrange a conference for the purpose of promoting arbitration and encouraging reciprocal commercial relations between American States. This bill was accompanied by a long report setting forth the probable advantages of the proposed conference in opening new markets for our products, and in facilitating the amicable settlement of disputes.

A minority report opposing the proposed conference was submitted by Mr. Perry Belmont.

On the 6th of May, Senator Frye reported from the Committee on Foreign Relations a bill, as a substitute for several similar measures which had been referred to that committee. "to promote the political Progress and commercial prosperity of the American nations." This bill proposed a conference of American nations at Washington; and the subjects to be considered are for the first time set forth in detail. It passed the Senate June 17, 1886, but no action was taken on it in the House. Various other measures were proposed thereafter, but it was not till 1888 that final action was taken. On the 4th of January, 1888, Mr. McCreary re-introduced his bill in the House, and on the 29th of February it was passed. When it reached the Senate, Mr. Frye reported his own bill (March 21) as a substitute, which was passed the next day. A conference committee having been appointed by the two Houses, the report which it submitted passed the House but was rejected by the Senate (April 25). On the 27th of April a new conference was ordered, and an agreement having been reached, the bill was finally passed by both Houses on the 10th of May, 1888.1

This act requested and authorized the President of the United States to invite the several governments of the SpanishAmerican Republics and Brazil to join the United States in a conference to be held at Washington, in the year 1889, for the purpose of discussing some plan of arbitration for the settlement of disagreements and disputes that may hereafter arise between them, and for considering questions relating to the improvement of business intercourse and means of direct communication between said countries, and to encourage such

1 The history of the legislative action on this subject is given as considerable length in the 4th volume of the proceedings of the International American Conference, 293-375.

reciprocal commercial relations as will be beneficial to all and secure more extensive markets for the products of each of said countries.

Section 2. In forwarding the invitations the President shall set forth that the conference is called to consider:(1) Measures to promote peace and prosperity.

(2) An American Customs Union, etc.

(3) Regular and frequent communication between the parties of the several American states.

(4) A uniform system of customs regulations, etc.

(5) The adoption of a uniform system of weights and measures, and laws to protect the patent-rights, copyrights, and trade-marks of citizens of either country in the other, and for the extradition of criminals.

(6) The adoption of a common silver coin.

(7) A definite plan of arbitration of all questions, disputes, and differences, etc.

(8) To consider such other subjects relating to the welfare of the several States represented, etc.

The sum of seventy-five thousand dollars was appropriated for the incidental expenses.

The President, with the advice and consent of the senate, was to appoint ten delegates to the Conference who should serve without compensation.

In pursuance of the provisions of this act, invitations were sent by Mr. Bayard, Secretary of State, to the governments of the several American States. Favorable replies were received, and the Conference held its first meeting, in the Diplomatic Chamber of the Department of State, Washington, D. C., at noon, on the 2d of October, 1889. After listening to an address of welcome by Mr. Blaine, Secretary of State, the Conference completed its organization in so far as to elect Mr. Blaine President, and appoint a committee on committees. Then accepting the invitation of the President of the United States to make an excursion through the country, the members did not reassemble till the 5th of December. On the 7th, Mr. Zegarra, of Peru, and Mr. Romero, of Mexico were elected Vice-presidents.

The delegates of the United States were; John B. Henderson, Cornelius N. Bliss, Clement Studebaker, T. Jefferson

Coolidge, William Henry Trescot, Andrew Carnegie, Morris M. Estee, John F. Hanson, Henry G. Davis, and Charles R. Flint. The States represented were: Hayti, Nicaragua, Peru, Guatemala, Uruguay, Colombia, Argentine Republic, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Brazil, Honduras, Mexico, Bolivia, United States, Venezuela, Chili, Salvador, and Ecuador.

The secretaries for the Conference were: H. Remsen Whitehouse, Fidel G. Pierra (till February 14, 1890), and José Ignacio Rodriguez (succeeding Mr. Pierra).

The following standing committees were appointed, December 7 :

1. Executive Committee.

2. On Customs Union.

3. On Communication on the Atlantic.

4. On Communication on the Pacific.

5. On Communication on the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.

6. On Railway Communication.

7. On Customs Regulations.

8. On Port Dues.

9. On Weights and Measures.

10. On Sanitary Regulations.

11. On Patents and Trade-marks.

12. On Extradition.

13. On Monetary Convention. 14. On Banking.

15. On International Law.

16. On General Welfare, to report a plan of arbitration, etc. The reports of these various committees were subjected to more or less extended debate, and in most cases approved. Thus, the report of the committee on weights and measures as amended and adopted was as follows:

แ

"Resolved, that the International American Conference recommends the adoption of the metrical decimal system to the nations here represented, which have not already accepted it." (Records of the Conference, I., 77–92.)

So the report in favor of an Inter-continental Railway was adopted. This proposed the appointment of a commission composed of a body of engineers, of whom each nation should