1940: International Conferences And Congresses

Except in the Western Hemisphere war conditions well-nigh extinguished the holding of international conferences during 1940, although a few in Europe may be mentioned. What may be the last meetings for some time to come of three aggregations of small European states — the Balkan Entente, the Scandinavian states, and the Balkan states — occurred during the early spring.

Balkan, Baltic and Scandinavian Conferences.

Representatives of the countries of the Balkan Entente (Turkey, Greece, Rumania and Yugoslavia) met at Belgrade Feb. 2-4 and re-affirmed their united interests for peace and security in Southeastern Europe, for closer economic ties, and for friendly but independent relations with their neighbors. This cautious re-affirmation of regional action at least expressed an encouraging outlook. In the endeavor to maintain their common views and purposes, they prolonged the Balkan Pact for a period of seven years from Feb. 9, 1941, and set the next meeting for that date at Athens. Notwithstanding Rumania's loss of independence in November, reports from Turkey during December expressed hope for continuance of the Entente with the possible substitution of Bulgaria for Rumania. In Copenhagen, Feb. 24-25, the foreign ministers of Denmark, Norway and Sweden emphasized again their permanently neutral principles by agreeing especially to maintain the inviolability of neutral territory in accordance with international law and by trying to avert illegality in naval warfare and the consequent negotiations with belligerents. A conference of the three Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) ended in Riga March 16 with a statement of their intention to adhere to their strong belief in neutrality and thus, by avoiding conflicts, to maintain their independence.

Questions Concerning the Danube.

Several meetings connected with control of shipping on the Danube took place during the year. At Bucharest, Feb. 17-20, delegates from Germany, Slovakia, Hungary, Rumania and Yugoslavia attended a Danube Shipping Conference to discuss issues arising from the war. The International Danube Commission, on April 18, decided that the riverine states should be responsible for policing the river within their respective territories and for safety of traffic as opposed to a German demand to control all shipping and shore policing. The European Danube Commission held its spring session at Galatz, Rumania, May 20-29. On Oct. 26 it was announced that Germany and Russia, with Italy's approval, had decided to end both the International and European Commissions of the Danube and, instead, to set up a new Danube Commission on which Russia, Germany, Italy, Rumania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovakia and Yugoslavia would be represented. A new international statute relating to traffic between Galatz and the sea was drawn up. The new commission met in November, and its prolonged disagreement was reported.

Conference of British Territories in the East.

At the invitation of the Government of India a conference began Oct. 25 in Delhi among the territories of the British Empire south and east of Suez to determine a joint policy for coordinating and developing their war resources. To establish a permanent liaison arrangement a standing committee was set up. This meeting represents a new development in relations between the territories represented — Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Burma, Ceylon, Southern Rhodesia, East Africa, Hongkong, Malaya and Palestine, with observers from the Netherlands East Indies.

Pan-American Conference.

Among the American conferences perhaps the most elaborate was the Eighth American Scientific Congress, which met in Washington May 10-17 to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Pan-American Union. Upon the invitation of the President of the United States three hundred Latin American scientists and two thousand from the United States attended as members, including the most distinguished American scientists, educators and scholars. The Congress divided into sections devoted to particular fields — anthropological, biological and geological sciences, agriculture and conservation, public health and medicine, physical and chemical sciences, statistics, history and geography, international and public law and jurisprudence, economics and sociology, and education. Besides the exchange of views on the latest achievements in science and encouragement to scientific thought, the underlying purpose of this gathering corresponded to that for all inter-American assemblies, i.e., the study of problems peculiar to this hemisphere and encouragement of a closer understanding among the American republics, especially in the threat to Western civilization. The Congress passed resolutions to appoint commissions on Pan American Conservation and Pan American Soil Conservation, to establish an Inter-American Institute of Tropical Agriculture, and to encourage rubber production in the Americas. Concurrently various other organizations met in Washington, such as the American Society of International Law, the Committee on International and Comparative Law of the American Bar Association, the American Institute of International Law, and the American Law Institute. (See also PAN-AMERICAN COOPERATION.)

Two radio conferences held in Santiago, Chile, were the Third South American Radio Conference, Jan. 13-17, and, following it, the Second Inter-American Radio Conference, Jan. 18-23. The latter modified the present Inter-American Radio Convention of 1937 as to amateurs and considered the detailed revision of its allocation tables, together with the use of the most advanced standards in radio communication as a factor in increasing safe air navigation. The next meeting will be at Rio de Janeiro in 1943.

A Conference of Jurisconsults, with delegates from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Columbia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay, reconvened in Montevideo March 6-19, after adjournment from Aug. 4, 1939. Meeting to revise texts of the eight original treaties signed at Montevideo in 1889, the conference adopted the amended treaties on Asylum and Political Refugees, Intellectual Property (copyright), and Exercise of the Liberal Professions, and signed five new treaties — on Civil, Penal, Processal, and Commercial Law and on Commercial Navigation. Also in Montevideo, March 4-9, was held the Fifth Pan-American Congress of Architects and the Fifth Pan-American Exposition of Architecture and City Planning. At the latter, through the cooperation of the interested departments and agencies of the government and of the American Institute of Architects, the United States representatives arranged an exhibit that included the 'National Exhibition of Representative Buildings of the Post War Period' recently shown throughout the country under the auspices of the American Federation of Arts.

A new gathering met April 14-24 at Lake Patzcuaro, Michoacan State, Mexico. This was the Inter-American Congress on Indian Life, held to promote and coordinate a continental program for the emancipation of American Indian peoples. Ten countries were represented. This first Congress resulted from resolutions of the Seventh and Eighth International Conferences of the American States for the purpose of interchanging information and opinions about protecting indigenous peoples. Accordingly, it considered questions regarding their education, medical care, housing, biology, and economic and social problems. The Congress urged the establishment of a Pan American bank for agricultural credit.

Another first conference was the meeting of 'popular political parties' in Santiago, Chile, Oct. 3-8, under the auspices of the Chilean Socialist Party. Representatives of leftist parties attended from Mexico, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia and Argentina. Topics of discussion included the repercussions of the war on Latin America, political and economic problems arising from the war, totalitarian activity in the Americas, permanent coordination of popular forces in Latin America to defend democracy, and relations with the United States. Two resolutions concerned the early establishment of a common Spanish-American citizenship and arbitration for peaceful solution of all inter-American disputes.

Under the auspices of the Pan-American Sanitary Bureau, the Fourth Pan-American Conference of National Directors of Health met in Washington, May 1-8, with a larger attendance than ever before, including representatives from Canada and Dutch Guiana. The meeting, which was concurrent with that of the American members of the Permanent Committee of the International Office of Public Health, took definite action on various problems of immediate interest, such as proposals regarding aerial sanitation, malaria, serology of syphilis, nutrition, public health personnel, vital statistics, a sanitary code, typhoid control, and industrial hygiene. A health exhibition was also held.

The second meeting of the Inter-American Union of the Caribbean occurred at Ciudad Trujillo, Dominican Republic, from May 31 to June 6. This organization, with headquarters at Havana, is composed of representatives of the governments and cultural agencies of the countries and possessions bordering on the Caribbean and exists to further closer relations among them. A previous conference had been held in Havana under private auspices; this one was attended by representatives of the eleven governments concerned, including the United States. Its official purpose was to discuss subjects of cultural and economic interest, but a political note was introduced by approving a declaration that advocated the independence of all European colonies in the Americas. The conference also approved a resolution for ownership of all air lines in the Western Hemisphere by citizens of American nations. (See also DOMINICAN REPUBLIC; PERU.)

Under the auspices of the Inter-American Financial and Economic Advisory Committee created by the First Meeting of the American Foreign Ministers in Panama (September 1939), the First Inter-American Maritime Conference met in Washington on Oct. 2. The delegates included experts on maritime matters from all the American governments and, in an advisory capacity, representatives of the national steamship companies. The agenda contained the following topics: transportation of commerce in the Western Hemisphere; effect of the present war on American shipping; passenger and tourist travel between Western Hemisphere nations; port dues, charges, taxes and other imposts on shipping; the equitable distribution of cargoes in inter-American trade; national merchant marines; study of harmonizing government shipping statistics and possibilities of reducing shipping costs; consideration of suggestions for a continued procedure in dealing with shipping problems of the Americas. The maritime conference will work with the subcommittee on problems of an individual and urgent character of the Inter-American Financial and Economic Advisory Committee.

From Dec. 5 to 14 the Fourth Pan-American Red Cross Conference met in Santiago, Chile, with delegates from the twenty-one American republics present. Sessions were held on all aspects of the humanitarian work carried on throughout the world by Red Cross societies — American, international, national — by the League of Red Cross Societies, and by the Junior organization.

Among the other meetings held were the following: the third annual convention of the Inter-American Bibliographical and Library Association in Washington, Feb. 23-24, especially commemorated the fiftieth anniversary of the Pan American Union and included an exhibition of Latin American printing and other graphic arts; the Second Pan American Conference of Commercial Agents met at Rio de Janeiro from May 25 to June 1; at the University of California, Aug. 12-17, the Second International Congress of Professors of Ibero-American Literature included delegates from governments and educational institutions in the various countries concerned and individual leaders in the field of literature; nineteen American states were represented at the meeting of the Inter-American Commission of Women which was held in November at Washington.

1939: International Conferences And Congresses

Panamanian Conference.

The most important conference of the American states during 1939 was the Consultative Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the American Republics held in Panama Sept. 23-31. It was called, in keeping with engagements reached at the Buenos Aires and Lima Conferences, to consult in view of the outbreak of a general European war and its potential menace to American peace. All the American states were represented. A large number of declarations and resolutions resulted, of which the most important were: The Resolution on Economic Cooperation, which established an Inter-American Financial and Economic Advisory Committee to recommend measures best calculated to protect inter-American commercial and financial relations against the immediate difficulties of the war and to increase and strengthen them permanently for mutual benefit; the Joint Declaration of Continental Solidarity, re-affirming the Lima declaration of American solidarity; the General Declaration of neutrality, which set forth standards of conduct to be followed by the American states as neutrals, a series of neutrality measures for enforcement in accordance with international law and provision for supplementing them as the war continues; and, finally, the Declaration of Panama, based upon the principles that the war should not jeopardize the right of the Americas to self-protection nor interfere with or destroy their normal relations, and that consequently belligerent activities should not take place within waters adjacent to the American continent. Accordingly, the American governments will consult whenever necessary to determine measures essential to its observance (as they did on Dec. 23); in particular it provides that the republics may patrol 'either individually or collectively, as may be agreed upon by common consent,' the waters adjacent to their coasts within an area carefully defined in the declaration, in which they will try to secure freedom from war activities through joint representation to the belligerents. The resolution on the Humanization of War, concerning among other things the use of 'forbidden methods,' and that on Contraband of War, which deplored the inclusion of foodstuffs, clothing and peacetime raw materials as depriving civilian populations of their normal means of subsistence, deserves special mention. See also INTERNATIONAL LAW; PANAMA; UNITED STATES: Foreign Relations; URUGUAY.)

Conference of the National Committee for Intellectual Cooperation.

The first American Conference of the National Committees for Intellectual Cooperation met Jan. 6-12 in Santiago, Chile. Sponsored by the League of Nations, the aim of the Conference is better understanding among the American peoples and association of culture on this continent with that in Europe. Many resolutions were adopted, and a grant of forty-two United States' scholarships to Latin-American students was announced.

Housing and Nutrition Conferences.

At Buenos Aires, Oct. 2-7, was held the First Pan American Housing Conference following resolutions of the Seventh and Eighth Pan American Conferences. This Conference has undertaken a practical study of the hygienic, economic, and social aspects of the low-cost housing program. A feature of the meeting was the housing exhibit arranged by the Argentine Government, including a comprehensive exhibit collected by the United States Government. Likewise in Buenos Aires, a regional meeting of representatives from national nutrition committees in the Americas began on Oct. 9, under the auspices of the League of Nations, with the official representation of the United States and the other American states. Discussion centered upon a general examination of nutrition problems in the Americas, with a view to effecting a freer exchange of technical information.

Economics.

A meeting of Treasury Representatives of the American republics was held at Guatemala City, Nov. 14-21, following a recommendation of the Lima Conference. It is expected that periodic informal meetings will ensue, in order to afford discussion of technical subjects interesting to treasuries. Special emphasis will be placed upon an examination of problems relating to monetary, foreign exchange and banking policy. Many resolutions were adopted.

In accordance with a resolution of the Panama Meeting of American Foreign Ministers, the Inter-American Financial and Economic Advisory Committee was set up and convened in Washington for its first meeting on Nov. 15. The Committee, consisting of one expert representing each republic, exists to establish close and real cooperation among the American states for protecting their economic and financial structure, maintaining their fiscal equilibrium and stable currencies, and promoting and expanding their industries, agriculture and commerce.

Cultural, Municipal and Labor Conferences.

A series of four conferences arranged by the United States Department of State on inter-American relations in the fields of art, music, education and books, libraries and translations, took place in Washington for the purpose of contributing to the advancement of peace and friendship among the American nations and by stimulating private initiative in the various fields of cultural relations. The conferences were, on art, Oct. 11-12, on music, Oct. 18-19, on education and inter-American cultural relations, Nov. 9-10, and on books, libraries and translations, Nov. 29-30. From each conference resulted resolutions and projects, and continuation committees to carry on the work.

The first meeting of the Pan American Commission on Intermunicipal Cooperation ended in Chicago on Nov. 25. The Commission, consisting of one member from each of ten American republics, exists as the executive body of the Pan American Congress of Municipalities. It completed plans for creating unions of cities in each of the twenty-one American states for mutual cooperation, and drafted model by-laws for them. A board of five in each republic is to be appointed to establish a union — already such an organization exists in the United States, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Peru and Mexico. The Commission recommended a permanent secretariat for each union, as well as for its own organization, in order to continue research, publish bulletins and promote cooperative study and action on municipal problems.

The Second Regional Labor Conference, under the International Labor Organization, opened at Havana Nov. 21, with 131 delegates and advisers from 16 American states, observers from countries not members of the I.L.O., and 30 representatives from the organization in Geneva.

Conferences on Refugees.

At a meeting in London, Feb. 10-15 of a sub-committee of the (Evian) Intergovernmental Committee on Political Refugees, Sir Herbert Emerson, the League High Commissioner for Refugees from Germany, became director of the Evian Committee. The two organizations will continue their separate existence under a single head. The Evian body decided to continue discussions with the German Government in the hope of facilitating Jewish emigration on the basis of the unacceptable German proposals for financing emigration, because of the urgent need of finding new homes for more than 150,000 to 200,000 Jews in the next three to five years. The Committee received offers from the Dominican Republic, which was prepared to take 100,000 refugees, and from the Philippine Islands, which could take about 1,000 refugees a year. Meetings of the officers of the same Committee took place at Washington on Oct. 17-18, and 26. At the meeting of the Coordinating Committee on Oct. 26, emphasis was laid upon the urgent need for further openings for the permanent settlement of refugees included within the Committee's present mandate and upon the fact that involuntary migration might be greatly increased. The survey of all possible openings for such migrations will continue, with special attention to possibilities for development of natural resources. The Committee heard a report on the current situation and discussed ways in which it might be met, with particular attention to the new aspects due to the war. The 'short-range problem,' including the emigration of those individuals and families who are now in countries of temporary refuge and who should be placed in permanent domiciles as rapidly as possible, could be best solved partly by individual immigration and partly by the initiation of immigration projects. Engineering and economic studies have been completed and practical steps, including financing, are being taken in initiating settlements.

Anglo-Palestine Problem.

Under the auspices of the British Government, a conference met in London Feb. 7 to consider the situation under the British mandate in Palestine. Jews were invited, both Zionists and non-Zionists, and Arabs from Palestine, Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Transjordan. Jews and Arabs did not meet together, but in two groups simultaneously. The conference failed to bring any solution which was either workable or satisfactory to the two factions. The Jews demanded fulfillment by Great Britain of their obligation, under the Balfour Declaration and the Mandate, to establish a Jewish national home in Palestine, and refused any solution which would condemn them to a minority status. The Arabs refused to recognize the validity of either of these documents, denying that they ever had done so, and they asserted that independence was promised to them in the British Government's pledge of Oct. 24, 1915, and later, in return for their aid in the World War. Since the conference failed, the British then formulated a plan, published May 17. Neither side approved this proposal. The Jews condemned it in certain aspects more than the Arabs as contradicting the mandate since it denied three fundamental rights of Jews — the right of return to Palestine, to settle throughout Palestine, and of free development of their natural life. The Arab Higher Committee declared that the former attitude of the Arab delegations would be maintained since the new policy was based on proposals which all the Arabs had rejected in London. They held that Great Britain had no right to frame the constitution, which should have been done by a national assembly, and that Jewish immigration should be prohibited, since they denied the right of Jews to even one third of the population.

Zionist Congress.

The Twenty-first Zionist Congress, meeting at Geneva during August, discussed the solution proposed by the British regarding Palestine. Dr. Weizmann reported on the situation in Palestine, emphasizing the unsatisfactory character of the British proposal, as well as the need of avoiding all forms of violence which might lead to civil war. The Congress felt that its schemes for settling 100,000 people within a relatively short time in Palestine were made impossible by Great Britain, which had the duty of facilitating Jewish immigration regardless of the present emergency. At the concluding session Dr. Weizmann declared that in the existing international crisis the Jews, even with their grievances as to Palestine, stood behind Great Britain and would fight with the democracies.

Other Conferences.

The Eleventh Congress of the Universal Postal Union sat in Buenos Aires for seven weeks during April and May. Its work was devoted to purely technical features of international postal distribution. The new convention embodying its results was not signed by Germany, Italy, Hungary, Spain and San Marino because it contained the name of Czechoslovakia as member of the Postal Union.

The Biennial Congress of the International Chamber of Commerce met June 26-30 at Copenhagen. It passed unanimously a resolution that the business men of the six great powers ought to collaborate in evolving a plan of adjustment which would give all countries a fair opportunity to share in the world's resources.

Four conferences meeting in Switzerland were The Triennial Congress of the International Federation of Trade Unions at Zurich, July 5-8; the Eighth International Conference on Public Instruction at Geneva, July 17; the Thirty-first Esperanto World Congress at Berne, July 29-Aug. 5; and the Fifteenth International Conference on Documentation at Zurich, Aug. 10-13. See also DENMARK; GUATEMALA; NORWAY; SWEDEN.