A NEW DRAWBRIDGE OVER THE CAUCA RIVER IN COLOMBIA. Upper: Showing group of officials of the Colombian Government and officers of the railroad when the bridge was officially turned over to the Pacific Railway Co. by the United States contractors who built it. Lower: Showing the draw of the bridge turned to permit the passage of vessels on the Cauca. PAN AMERICAN NOTES. 11 But not content with an honorable, traditional policy and a genuine national satisfaction in the friendship of the American Republics, we have now deliberately set ourselves to give the most solemn expression of it all to the entire world. There have been 90 years of reaffirmation on our part of the principle of the American Hemisphere dedicated to representative government and international peace; and these generations have shown us that we are ready now for something greater and more impressive and more inspiring. Under the lofty leadership of a man, endowed not only with the serene vision of the historian intimately acquainted with the forces that have shaped our development but with a combination of well-balanced judgment and creative statesmanship, we have proposed to enter a solemn pact with all the Republics of America for the mutual guaranty of the integrity of all. Not merely territorial integrity have we thought to include, but, as well, that of institutions and that of the national spirit. The self-confidence and self-repsect of the American peoples is as important as one or another bit of their lands. We have said in effect to the world that spiritually these Republics are united, that they are devoted to the ideals of international honor and peace, that they are prepared to act together without hesitation in maintaining those ideals effectively in this hemisphere, and that they have consecrated their best efforts to the spreading and strengthening of these ideals until the entire world shall come to accept them. The Secretary then discussed the economic and financial relations of the United States with Latin America, the abnormal conditions suddenly brought about by the "prodigious European calamity," and referred to the memorable Pan American Financial Congress which it was his "happy privilege" to call in order to consider economic questions of common interest. Speaking of the results of this gathering, Mr. McAdoo told of the creation of the International High Commission, and made the following statement concerning the first general meeting of the commission on April 3, 1916, at Buenos Aires: With gratifying ardor the distinguished body of delegates representing 20 Republics addressed themselves to the consideration of projects presented for the improvement of our various national laws or in our several commercial and financial policies. The program was a truly formidable one, embracing 13 different subjects, many of which were large enough and complex enough to serve as the subject matter for an entire conference. Yet, in spite of that, the conference worked with such unity of purpose and brought to its task such a wealth of experience and knowledge and constructive genius that it was able to present a body of resolutions for the consideration of the various Governments that will not fail to stimulate a genuine wave of enthusiasm for the cause of progressive and enlightened commercial legislation in the American Republics. In some cases these recommendations involved the breaking of new ground; while in others a secure structure is raised upon the foundations so patiently laid in previous international gatherings on our continent. * * The Secretary referred to the international cooperation which characterizes the foreign policy of the United States as being the logical development of the principles and motives that guided President Monroe and his advisers in the formulation of the Monroe doctrine. On this point he further said: We were then interested in preventing the forcible subjection of the revolted colonies and their return to a condition of political dependence. Every American must be proud of the fact that it was the privilege of his country to contribute toward the maintenance of the independence of our sister Republics. The fact that they were able to secure this independence for themselves does not detract from the service which we were able to render to them in their hour of need. With political independence established as a definite and final fact, the next step in the progressive development of our sister Republics is to secure a larger measure of economic and financial independence. The suffering to which many of them have been subjected by reason of the European war indicates the importance of this next step in their national development. From whatever point of view we approach the situation it is an inspiring fact that our interests are entirely in harmony with theirs. The people of the United States, deeply interested in their own economic, financial, and social progress, are anxious to see every nation of Latin America move forward in precisely the same direction. The Pan American Financial Conference of 1915 and the recent sessions of the International High Commission have demonstrated the ability and the willingness of the peoples of the American continent to assist one another in the development of their marvelous natural resources. In this great forward movement of continental progress the United States claims no position of privilege and fully realizes that the real mission of the Americas can best be fulfilled when every country is contributing its due share to the progress of the entire continent. In conclusion, Secretary McAdoo declared that the Monroe doctrine has now become continental not merely in scope but in the support it received, and emphasized the fact in the following concluding paragraphs: We can now well afford to discard the original name and look upon it as a policy of all the Americas, destined not merely to maintain their political independence but gradually to secure for them that measure of economic and financial self-sufficiency which is the logical and necessary accompaniment of political independence. In the attainment of these great ends we must, with each year, lay increasing emphasis on that spirit of international cooperation and mutual helpfulness which was the keynote of the Pan American Financial Conference of 1915, and which is now the watchword of American policy. I am most anxious that you should see the full significance of this movement. It means that the Americas are sounding a new note in international policy; that they have not only begun to see but are acting upon the principle that the welfare of each depends upon the prosperity of all. It is your duty, as well as mine, to hold high and unassailable this new concept of international relations. By so doing we will be performing a service to our own country, to the American Continent, and to the civilized world. UNITED STATES RETURN VISIT COMMITTEE TO BRAZIL. The Return Visit Committee to Brazil, of the Pan American Financial Conference, is to leave the United States on the steamer Vestris on July 29. It is to arrive in Rio de Janeiro on the 15th of August, leaving that city for New York on the 12th of September by the same steamer. Among the members will be Dr. R. P. Strong, Vice President of the American International Corporation; Mr. Frederico Lage, of the firm of William Morris Imbrie & Co. of New York; Mr. Charles Lyon Chandler, South American Agent of the Southern Railway Co., Chattanooga, Tenn.; Mr. Henry C. Ulen, President of the Ulen Contracting Co., Chicago; Mr. W. C. Downs, Commercial Attaché of the United States Embassy at Rio de Janeiro; Mr. Louis R. Gray, of the firm of Arbuckle Bros. NAVIGATION ON SOUTH AMERICAN RIVERS T HE little steamer is the Ibera; she makes the round trip from Posados to the head of steam navigation on the Alto Paraná in eight or ten days. Somewhere back in Brazilian jungles the stream is formed, and after flowing for unknown leagues plunges over the precipice of Guayra, and thereafter becomes a navigable artery for small steamers to its junction with the Plata system at Corrientes, a distance of many miles. The captain of the boat is an Argentine; the crew, consisting of Brazilians, Paraguayans, and Argentines, numbers about 20 persons; the passenger list is not large and many more could be carried. On the list is an Englishman, a Paraguayan yerba maté planter, a Brazilian customs officer, an Argentine photographer, an Italian lumberman returning to his forest home, several Argentine traders, and two Americans. The first day out from Posados, uneventful, draws to a close; the little steamer seeks a placid cove and makes fast to near-by trees. The boatmen are put to work carrying wood from the forest pile to the boat, for the latter is propelled by a wood-burning engine. Even on the river boat in the forest the South American custom of late evening meals is observed; 8 o'clock is the dinner hour. The menu consists of a stew called "puchero," mutton (slaughtered aboard), excellent fish, mandioca, beans, potatoes, bread and "hard tack,” Paraguayan oranges, coffee, Mendoza wine; abundance of food and sufficiently nourishing to satisfy the traveler who realizes his whereabouts. The tropical darkness comes quickly; a few guards are placed about the boat, the captain and several passengers start the card game, the stranger wanders around and around the little deck listening to the mournful melody of the forest-truly a weird and interesting experience. Animals and insects seem to have utilized the darkness in which to come to the river to slake their thirst. The few lights aboard the steamer draw the mosquitoes and all their kindred; woe unto the traveler who has not provided double netting and a supply of "Bufach," for the latter smoulders within the cabin and drives away the pests that even manage to squeeze through the net. At the break of day the little steamer is again on her course, crossing and recrossing the treacherous currents for which the river is noted. Thus, day by day we follow the winding course, admiring the ever 1 By William A. Reid, Pan American Union Staff. 47486-Bull. 1-16 -2 13 |