36 Herbert G. Oejden — Geof/raplnj of the Laud. 



ing those greater questions of public policy that naturally arise 

 from their community of interests. The proposition to convene 

 a Pan-American congress was for several years viewed with 

 suspicion, and was even designated by some as chimerical, but 

 the suggestion took root. Many thoughtful men believed such a 

 conference would lead to a better understanding between the 

 people of the states represented, and that, while the fruits might 

 not be made immediately apparent, the foundation would be 

 laid for lasting benefits. The interest manifested by the differ- 

 ent nations and the high character of the representatives they 

 sent to the conference clearly indicated that deliberations were to 

 l)e undertaken in good faith. We need not follow the delibera- 

 tions of this body, nor even revert to the many questions dis- 

 cussed. Since the adjournment we are beginning to appreciate 

 some of the results. The recent establishment of the " Bureau 

 of the American Republics " is one of the first practical evidences 

 of work accomplished. This bureau is maintained by propor- 

 tionate contributions from the nations represented in the con- 

 gress, and is intended to be the medium for collecting and dis- 

 seminating information on commercial, industrial, and cognate 

 subjects. If we consider the different characteristics of the people 

 of the two continents — their manners, customs and methods of 

 lousiness — we can readily conceive the bureau has before it a 

 labor of no little magnitude, but one that, fairly accomplished, 

 cannot fail to be beneficial and of lasting value. 



' Further evidence of the work of the congress is apparent in 

 the organization of a commission of experts to project the long- 

 contemplated inter-continental railway — a scheme that, depend- 

 ent upon individual effort, would doubtless require many years 

 for accomplishment, but undertaken under international au- 

 spices we may hope will be pressed to a speedy conclusion. 



The assembly of delegates to consider a monetary unit for the 

 republics of the two continents is also the result of the congress. 

 The progress of this conference will doubtless be Avatched with 

 peculiar interest, coming as it does when our own people are in 

 the midst of a reactionary effort to hal)ilitate silver as a standard 

 coin. 



The revolution a year ago that gave birth to the United States 

 of Brazil, it was feared by many would lead to a state of anarchy 

 that would end disastrously to the new nation and perhaps in- 

 volve neighboring states. Fortunately these forebodings have 



