That the greater the interchange, the greater also will be the possibility for each country to specialize in those collective activities which will assure to it a maximum return with a minimum effort;

That this trade is being impeded by a great number of excessive or unreasonable restrictions and prohibitions, which have considerably diminished its volume;

That such restrictions and prohibitions give rise to discontent and uncertainty as well as to fear and disputes among all countries;

That it is essential, at this time, as a preliminary step toward eliminating and gradually reducing said prohibitions and restrictions, to prevent increase in the osbtacles which hinder international trade and render it more difficult; and

Having in mind the recommendations approved in the International Economic Conference held under the auspices of the League of Nations in 1927, and the conclusions of the subsequent Conferences of that organization; especially with respect to the effects of the "clearing" agreements as established by the Economic Committee of Geneva in 1935; and ratifying the declaration of principles approved in the Inter-American Conference of Montevideo in 1933 and the resolution adopted in the Pan American Commercial Conference of Buenos Aires in 1935;

The Inter-American Conference for the Maintenance of Peace

RECOMMENDS:

1. That the American States abstain, so far as possible, from raising or augmenting tariff barriers and every other kind of restrictions which directly or indirectly hinder international trade and resulting payments;

2. That immediately, and to the extent that the several national economies permit, a policy of abolishing and gradually reducing the said excessive or unreasonable prohibitions and restrictions upon international commerce be undertaken and carried forward by each of the said States, through the conclusion or revision of bilateral economic or commercial Agreements and Treaties and through unilateral action by each country;

3. That these recommendations become effective as early as possible in order that the Eighth Inter-American Conference to be held soon in Lima, and the Economic Financial Conference, which is to be held in Santiago, Chile, may mark a definite step towards a system of greater freedom in international commerce; and

RESOLVES:

4. To invite all Governments which do not partipate in this Conference to follow the policy proposed in the present recommendation. (With the reservation by El Salvador to the effect that due to its special geographic and economic situation it cannot comply immedi

ately with the doctrine contained in the above recommendation while the factors obtain which require it to maintain the existing dispositions and organization. See minutes of the Fifth Committee, meeting of December 17, published in the Diario of the Conference December 21, 1936).

(Approved December 21, 1936).

Appendix 73

XLVII. INTER-AMERICAN MARITIME COMMUNICATIONS

Whereas, the establishment of a special steamship service, facilitating transportation and increasing inter-American commerce through its promotion of economic relations and a more intimate knowledge between the peoples of this Continent, constitutes one of the most valuable means for maintaining and developing between them a deep spirit of cooperation and solidarity;

Taking into account that the adoption of some of the decisions concerning a Pan American merchant marine, voted by the Pan American Commercial Conference of Buenos Aires, 1935, would constitute a practical and highly useful measure, which would permit beginning or intensifying the transport of products of each American country to the other consuming markets of the American Continent; and

There do not now exist direct, frequent and regular maritime communications between all the American countries,

The Inter-American Conference for the Maintenance of Peace

RECOMMENDS:

1. a) That the American States interested in the development of Inter-American maritime communications, commence negotiations with a view to concluding bilateral or multilateral conventions destined to organize a shipping service meeting the conditions set forth in Article 2 of this recommendation;

b) That the American States, in order to assist the promotion of said services, should grant to such ships maximum administrative facilities and advantages with regard to port dues and other levies affecting navigation, to the extent permitted by the treaties and internal legislation of each country. Such facilities might be conceded spontaneously or at the request of the countries which may sign conventions of said character; and

c) That the American countries which may be interested in attracting such ships to their ports, should agree among themselves on the granting of subsidies, taking into account the volume of their mutual import and export trade.

2. As a basis for such treaties, the following principles are recommended for adoption:

a) The ships in question must maintain regular navigation services. No country can have more than two ships. The ships must be registered in one of the Contracting States and, to that effect, they shall comply with the requirements established in that State for the granting of the right to fly the national flag. Nevertheless, these requirements may be fulfilled either by nationals of one of the High Contracting Parties or, by previous special agreement by a consortium of nationals of different Contracting States interested in a given navigation line. In this last case, however, the maximum number of ships which may receive such special benefits should be two for any consortium of the States whose nationals own or operate the ships. The capacity and character of the ships will be determined by the State or group of States to which they belong but in addition to the facilities for the transportation, loading and unloading of merchandise, they must possess to a reasonable degree facilities for the transportation of commercial agents or passengers.

b) The minimum requirements for the service of these ships as to ports and frequency of voyages, shall be fixed by the interested States; but it should be obligatory to call, without transshipment, at the ports of at least three American nations. The calls at the various ports shall be alternating, so that the different lines shall call at ports of different States signatories of bilateral or multilateral treaties established in the terms fixed by this article.

c) Ships receiving such benefits shall accept samples of products of the States signatories to said conventions, so that such products may be exhibited for commercial advertising. On such ships the transportation of merchandise of national origin, on indefinite consignment when accompanied by the respective commercial agent, may be permitted. These goods may be sold, in whole or part, in the ports of call, in accordance with the facilities which the laws provide for consular and custom house clearance.

(Approved December 21, 1936).

Appendix 74

XLVIII. TRANSPORTATION BY AIR

Whereas, the reduction in the cost of rates, fares, and freight charges would considerably increase the use of airplanes, which is at present one of the most effective means of communication and interchange of ideas between men; and

Recognizing that the development of air-transport contributes to a better knowledge and understanding among the American peoples, and aids in the maintenance of a lasting peace,

The Inter-American Conference for the Maintenance of Peace

RECOMMENDS:

1. That the American Governments study and, in so far as possible, apply measures tending toward a reduction in the cost of airtransport, and the simplification of present administrative formalities. 2. That, to the same end and with the intention that this matter be considered in the Conference on Aviation, to be held in Lima in 1937, the Governments investigate carefully the charges, taxes, and fees falling upon air-transportation of persons, mail and freight, between the American Republics, and which affect the cost and development of such service.

(Approved December 21, 1936).

Appendix 75

XLIX. STANDARD OF LIVING

The Inter-American Conference for the Maintenance of Peace

RECOMMENDS:

That the Governments represented carry out, as soon as possible, a careful survey of the standards of living and the economic indices of the various regions within their territories.

The Pan American Union shall be charged with the responsibility to determine the outlines which these surveys shall follow, and to coordinate the results on a basis to make them so far as possible, open to study and comparison. These studies shall be carried on without affecting those undertaken by the International Labor Office, and shall be additional to those of Geneva.

(Approved December 21, 1936).

Appendix 76

L. BOY SCOUTS AND GIRL SCOUTS AND INTER-AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP

Whereas, youth without distinction of race, of intellectual culture or of fortune, must be the strongest support for the maintenance of peace between peoples; and

The organizations of boy and girl scouts serve, as few others, this high and noble purpose, and should be encouraged and helped to carry on their work of good will;

The Inter-American Conference for the Maintenance of Peace

RESOLVES:

To recommend to the American countries which may not already have done so to promote scouting and to place it under the patronage of the Governments;

That the organizations of the American countries unite in one co-ordinated inter-American entity;

That inter-American conferences and scout jamborees be held periodically under the direction of the continental organization, national groups to send delegations of leaders, boy scouts and girl scouts to these meetings;

That until the inter-American entity be organized, the Central Committee of Scouts shall serve as a medium for the preparation of the periodical meetings of the different groups;

That the groups of the different countries and the inter-American entity maintain relations with the rest of the world; and

That the Congresses or jamborees be held successively in the various countries of America.

(Approved December 21, 1936).

Appendix 77

LI. TEACHING OF CIVICS

The Inter-American Conference for the Maintenance of Peace

RESOLVES:

1. To recommend to the Governments of the American Republics that they emphasize and generalize the teaching of civics, in all grades of primary and secondary schools, in schools for adults, and in other centers of education controlled by the State, adopting the necessary texts so that the instructors may teach the ideals of democracy and peace and the application of this ideology in the laws of the different American countries; and

2. To promote a competition, which shall be organized and patronized by the Pan American Union, to obtain a textbook of inter-American civics, drafted in accordance with the spirit of this resolution.

(Approved December 21, 1936).