President's Message On The International Congress

I senil herewith a copy of the circular oí invitation extended to all Independent countries of North and South America to particípate in a general congress to be held in the city of Washington on the 22d day of November next for the purpose, of considering and discussing the method of preventing war between the nations of America. In giving this invitation ] was not unaware that there exisied differences between the several repubüca of South America which would militate against happy resulta which might otherwise be expected from sucli assemblage. The differences indicated are such as exist between Chili and Peru, between Mexico and Guatemala, and between the states of Central America. it was hoped that these differences would disappear before the time fixed for the meeting of the congress. This hope has not yet been r,ealized. Having observed that the authority of the President to convene such a congress has been questioned, I beg leave to state that the constitution confers upon the President power, by and with the advice and consent of the senate to make.treaties, and that this provisión confers power to take all requisite measures to imítate them; and to this end the President may freely confer with one or several commissioners or delegates from other nations. The congress contemplated by the invitation could only effect any valuable result by its conclusions eventually taking the form of a treaty of peace between the states represented, and besides the invitation to the states of North and South America is merely a preliminary act of which the constitutionality or want of it can hardly be affirmed. it lias been suggested that whüe ao internacional congress would have no power ;o affect the rights of the nationalitie3 ihere represented, still congress might je unwilling to subject the existing ;reaty rights of the United States on :he isthmus and elsewhere on the continent to be clouded and rendered uncertain by the expressiou of the opinión of congress composed largely of interested parties. I am glad to have it in my power to refer to the congress of ihe United States as I now do, the propiïety of convening the suggested international congrejs that I may thus be informed of its views, which will be my pleasure to carry out. Inquiry having been made by some republics invited whether it is intended that this international congress shall convene, it is important that congress should. at as early a day as is convenient inform me by resolution or otherwise ot its opinión in the premises. My action will be in harmony with sueh expression.