INTERNATIONAL CONGRESSES AND EXPOSITIONS International Congresses.-Below is! a list of the important international congresses and conferences of the year. Many of the congresses are given extended notice in other departments of the YEAR BOOK, complete references to which will be found in the Index. 22. Aeronautic Federation, Paris, Jan. 28. Alimentation Workers, Paris, Jan. 27. 23-26. Commercial Aug. 31-Sept. 5. Instruction, Budapest, Cotton (ninth), The Hague. 9-11. June April 23. Valletta, Factory Inspection, Chicago, May 6. Fire Engineers (forty-first annual), New York, Sept. 1-6. Fishery (sixth), Ostend, Aug. 18-20. Food Products, Cooking and Hygiene (second), Lyons, May 1-18. Geographical (tenth), Rome, March 27. Historical Studies, London, April 3-9. International Law (twenty-sixth), Oxford, Aug. 4-9. Interparliamentary Union (eighteenth), Jurists, Berlin, Feb. 10-11. Pan-American (sixth), Lima. Peace (twentieth), The Hague, Aug. 20-23. Physical Culture, Paris, March 18-20. Sept. 2-6. Polar Commission, Rome, April. Religious Progress, Paris, July. Saccharine and Analogous Substances, Paris, Feb. 3. School Hygiene (fourth), Buffalo, Aug. 25-30. Students (eighteenth), Buffalo, Aug. 29-Sept. 20. 15. Sunday School (seventh), Zurich, July White Slave Traffic (fifth), London, July. 15-20. Woman Woman Suffrage, Men's League for (second), Budapest, June 15-20. Woman's Christian Temperance Union (ninth), Brooklyn, Oct. 23-28. International Expositions.-A genat Ghent, from April to November. eral international exposition was held The important special expositions were as follows: Art (eleventh), Munich, June-October. Building, Leipzig, May-October. Fire Prevention, New York, Sept. 1-6. Hygiene. Lima. Nov. 2-Dec. 31. Pharmaceutical (third), Vienna, Sept. 6-28. Literary and Artistic Property (thirty- tober. Opium Conference, The Hague, July 1-9. Safety and Sanitation, New York, Watering Places and Vacation Resorts, Vichy, May 5-Oct. 15, IV. FOREIGN AFFAIRS LATIN AMERICA1 ALBERT HALE During 1913 peace in Latin America Carnegie Endowment for International was vitally disturbed only in Mexico. Peace, reached Brazil in October and Interest was keenly aroused by the delivered addresses in many of the election of Mr. Wilson and the proba- capitals of South America, his purble selection of Mr. Bryan as Secre- pose being to arouse the sympathy of tary of State. Much discussion was all serious students to the benefits therefore provoked by President Wil- of international understanding and son's statement on March 11. Its chief paragraph was as follows: We can have no sympathy with those who seek to seize the power of government to advance their own personal inof peace, but we know that there can be no lasting peace in such circumstances. As friends we shall prefer those who act In the interest of peace and honor, who protect private rights and respect the restraints of constitutional provision. terests or ambition. We are the friends While no particular nation is therein mentioned, the significance of the address lies in its application to the Republics of Latin America, and is related, in its essence, to the present Administration's interpretation of the Monroe Doctrine. The suspicion of the American Republics was not, however, altogether allayed by some of the practical steps deemed necessary by the Administration, and as the year ended there was evidence that those who were enemies of the policy of the United States had a considerable following in Latin America. One contributary cause to this was the constant effort maintained by the PanLatin, Manuel Ugarte, in his writings and public utterances, to oppose what he called the "imperialism" of the United States. Forces against such a misunderstanding, but by no means directed intentionally toward that end, were observed through the tour in South America undertaken by Robert Bacon, formerly Ambassador to France, who, as representative of the the Pan the resultant adherence to peaceful methods in all international relationships. Ex-President Roosevelt left New York on October 4 for Brazil and Argentina, where he was to deliver, on the invitations of the Governments, public addresses on topics of great international significance. The writer also, under the direction of the Pan-American Union, spent the in South America, giving public conlatter half of 1912 and a part of 1913 ferences with the official support of various Governments, on American Union and its unique activities in behalf of better friendship and commercial interchange. Gen. Rafael Reyes, a former president of Colombia, also traveled in South America, delivering addresses on Pan-Americanism. Delegates from the Boston Chamber of Commerce spent three months in South America, where they were entertained hospitably, returning with sincere regard for the peoples there. Similar tours by other commercial bodies were planned, as the United States trade with Latin America has In this presentation of the year's events in Latin America, no particular attention is given to the foreign relations of any Republic, nor to the diplomatic intercourse between them and the United States, for a review of which reference should be had to the preceding Department, International Relations. In so far as is possible, their internal progress is here reported, and political affairs noted internal conditions. only when they seem to have influenced increased 183 per cent. in the last greatest flight in South America then 10 years, and better results are prob- recorded. In March a meeting was able after the opening of the Panama held in Buenos Aires of the governors Canal. In Central America a confed- of the 10 national territories to diseration of the five Republics was discuss the progress of the nation. Oil cussed with a deepening interest during 1913. ARGENTINA the world. On July 4 a statue of George Washington was unveiled in Buenos Aires, and July 17 a Y. W. C. A. building was opened. Floods occurred in Buenos Aires Province in June and August, and wheat was damaged in November, but good crops were reported, 23,000,000 hectares of land being under cultivation. A financial stringency marked the year's end. Argentina has signified official participation in the Panama-Pacific Exposition. wells in Comodoro Rivadavia produced profitably during the year, and oil was discovered in paying quantities in Salta. In April a scarcity of cattle began to be noticed, after the During 1912 crop conditions had intense demand for home consumption been excellent. At the beginning of and export; in May Congress under1913 promises for the year's crops took a bill to control the so-called were good, and everything pointed to- "beef trust" but could accomplish ward increased trade, although 1912 nothing. In June the first Argentine had broken all records. The income meat arrived in New York, in Sepfor the past 12 months had balanced tember larger shipments were underthe expenditure. The Panama Canal taken, and by November exports to and the lower tariff in the United steamer capacity were announced, States were expected to stimulate stimulated by the new United States foreign commerce. On Jan. 1, 1913, tariff. In May fruit, and in October Buenos Aires reported a population butter from Argentina entered New of almost 1,500,000, and the tram- York, and in October corn entered ways had a length of 695 km. (about Galveston; events showing the start330 miles). It has been a good year ling changes in export conditions of for railway development, the lines westward being pushed so that another route across the Andes into Chile, south of the present line to Santiago and Valparaiso, is nearing realization. Rail communication north 934 miles to Asunción (Paraguay) was established on Nov. 17. The Senate passed a law (Aug. 26) for the pensioning of railway employees, although the system has still to be worked out. A subway was projected under the River Plata from Buenos Aires to Colonia (Uruguay), but no active steps were taken. The subway in Buenos Aires itself opened in October. A consolidation of the Great Southern with the Western Railway was approved but the approval was later withdrawn. The Government also rejected the proposal of the Farquhar group to purchase the lines belonging to the Government. In February the Government decided to send students to schools in the United States, as announced at Harvard by Minister Naón; it purchased for $300,000 the legation building in Washington, and appointed Señor Villanueva special envoy to the United States to thank this country for participation in the centennial of 1910. In January Lieutenant Fels of the Argentine Army flew from Buenos Aires to Montevideo, 125 miles, the BOLIVIA The Republic had a good year in 1912. There had been no political disturbance, commercially there was prosperity, and the revenue exceeded the expenditure. Military activity had been popular, to show preparedness for possible trouble with Paraguay, but 1913 opened by a cordial effort to settle its boundary dispute with this neighbor. Plans for Government wireless stations were forwarded, and other evidences of material prosperity were marked. An electric railway was inaugurated in Cochabamba (April) and the railway south toward the Argentine frontier was pushed. To add to the mineral wealth of the country, petroleum was discovered early in the year near to establish rubber factories, in Rio, Minas Geraes and Para, to cost about $1,325,000, in which only Brazil rubber should be used; an experiment station for rubber growing was located at Para, the Federal Government thus coöperating with the state governments. Toward the end of the year Santa Cruz. On May 12 the centenary of the beginning of printing in Bolivia (then "Alto Peru") was celebrated. The Boston Chamber of Commerce visited La Paz (May 28). In June the American Minister, H. G. Knowles, was sent by the Government to San Francisco to select the site for the Bolivian building at the Exposi-a decline in rubber prices gave intion in 1915. On May 13 took place creased anxiety to the country. On the formal opening of the Arica-La March 7-8 a storm at Rio de Janeiro Paz Railway, which connects the sea- damaged the new sea wall along the port of Arica in Chile with the capital water front. In March an agitation of Bolivia. It offers the shortest line against the increasing cost of living to the Pacific seaboard and brings began. As an effort to attract immithe Republic into closer touch with grants away from the cities and into the outer world; during the cere- country life, the state of Minas Geraes monies a better sympathy between the (at Bello Horizonte) increased its two interested nations was manifested. agricultural colony and started an imOn Aug. 6 Ismael Montes was inaug-migrants' hotel. In May arrangeurated for the second time into the ments were made in the state of São Presidency. During the four years intervening since his earlier administration President Montes had been diplomatic representative to France, and had studied the requirements of his country. BRAZIL Paulo, by which 20,000 Japanese colonists were to be introduced for rice cultivation. The Japanese Government planned also a steamship route from Japan to Brazil through the Panama Canal. China established a legation in Brazil, in appreciation of the fact that Brazil was the first state to recognize the new Chinese Republic. Dr. Lauro Müller visited the United States from June 6 to July 16, being delegated to return the courtesy of Secretary Root's visit to South America in 1906. He was here June 6 to July 16. The year 1912 had been very prosperous and increase of commerce was reported. The death of Barão Rio Branco had left empty the office of Secretary of Foreign Affairs, which was filled by the appointment of Dr. Lauro Müller, whose services during As material improvements should be 1913 were of decided value to the na- noted that the first section of the new tion. Early in the year a bill to re- port works at Rio was inaugurated voke the decree of exile against the (May 12), and progress at PernamBraganza (royal) family, was reject- buco, Babia and other ports, was aced. On Jan. 3 a new tariff law was complished. In May the number of proposed, and while still under dis- Marconi wireless stations was incussion, it tended to influence the cus- creased so as to offer communication toms transactions of the year. On from one end of the Republic to the Jan. 22 the battleship Rio de Janeiro other. On July 1 Greenwich time was was launched at Newcastle, of 27,500 recognized by four "watches," the first tons, one of the largest warships in (extreme east) being 10 A. M. at existence. On Feb. 21 there was ap- noon, London, the second 9 A. M., the proved a plan to reduce the rubber ex- time at Rio, and the third and fourth port tax in those states exercising that to the west. The study and plans of right; in fact, during 1913 the rubber the work against drought in the dry question became acute in Brazil. An regions advanced, and experts were English investigator of rubber condi- introduced from the United States tions on the Amazon reported so (March) to this purpose and to teach strong a contrast with conditions in the practical application of "dry farmthe Far East that on April 12 a new ing." A new line of steamers was expedition to the Amazon was under- put in operation along the coast from taken by the Government to improve Porto Alegre to Manaos (May), and methods. One of the first steps was a railway southeast from Para was surveyed as a link toward Rio de | genheim interests obtained control of Janeiro. The railway across the Uruguayan frontier into Rio Grande do Sul was opened. In May a loan of £11,000,000 was made in London through Rothschilds' for port improvements, but capital was shy during the latter part of the year, so that a financial stringency was felt, especially as the balance of trade, for the first one-third of 1913 at least, was against Brazil. As national elections are to be held in March 1, 1914, in August a parliamentary convention selected Wenceslo Braz and Ruy Barbosa as candidates. Brazil has signified its intention to participate in the Pana ma-Pacific exposition. CHILE inaugurated. the Chile Exploration Co. with mines at Chuquicamata, where are 100,000,000 tons of copper ore. Oil was reported (May) discovered near Punta Arenas. For the first half of 1913 the price of nitrates dropped, and the Government ordered an investigation of the cause. A new tariff was proposed (April 28) which increased duties and made them specific instead of ad valorem. One great effect of the tariff would be to depress the importation of lumber and its products from the United States; Chile went no further than the project of the law, however. Punta Arenas lost its character as a free port, and a customhouse was established there. In April the Republic accepted representation in the San Francisco Exposition. On June 3 two Chilean subIn 1912 trade had improved over marines, the Iquique and Antofagasta 1911, and good crops were realized, ton Chamber of Commerce arrived in were launched at Seattle. The Bosbut the expenditure exceeded the revenue. Nevertheless finances were hope- Valparaiso on June 4. On May 25 ful, and Government therefore opened the Argentine Republic for a permathe legation building purchased by 1913 by perfecting the plans for spending $20,000,000 on the ports of Val-nent home in Santiago was dedicated. paraiso and San Antonio, on which On July 19 the British hospital in work had been inaugurated on Oct. 6, 1912. Altogether another $25,000,000 is to be expended in other port improvements, to place Chile in good condition for its expanding commerce. In April traffic was opened by rail as far south as Puerto Montt; in November rails were joined on the Longitudinal Railway as far north as Iquique, and traffic will be carried The year 1912 passed quietly, but a early in 1914; thus Chile has about deficit in the finances was recorded. 1,600 miles of north and south rail- At the beginning of 1913 the Governway. In addition to this purely na- ment ordered six revenue cutters and tional system, there was opened in two launches for its navy. Francisco the second half of the year the Arica- | Urrutia was appointed Minister of La Paz Railway, built by Chile with Foreign Affairs, considered favorable the coöperation of Bolivia. A bill to the United States, but (Jan. 31) was passed (February) by Congress to electrify the railway connecting Valparaiso and Santiago. Two great investments by U. S. capital marked 1913. The Tafa iron mines were purchased by the Bethlehem Steel Co., which thereby secured a supply of 100,000,000 tons of iron practically in sight; the company expects to put into service 10 steamers from some port in the United States, probably to the port of Cobija, which must be improved for such traffic. The Gug was Valparaiso The cornerstone of the new National Li brary in Santiago was laid on Aug. estimated in 1913 to be worth $280,22. The property of the nation was 000,000. COLOMBIA an offer from the United States to settle Panama claims, was refused. This was the subject of a special message to Congress by President Taft on March 1; Colombia preferred, however, to wait for the Wilson administration before entering upon negotiations. On June 24 the Republic proposed a renewal of the discussion through Señor Betancourt, recently appointed Minister to the United States, but no results were attained during the year (see also III, Interna |