Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-19
MR.. BARRETT'S OFFER
PRIZES FOR COLLEGE YOUNG MEN
AND WOMEN.
For Best Papers on Relations of the
United States With Latin
American Republics.

Minister John Barrett at Panama has ad-
dressed letter to President Nicholas Muir
ray Butler of Columbia University, New
York city. offering prizes for the best pa
pers on the relations of the United States
with the Latin-American republics, to be
competed for by young men and women
now pursuing collegiate course of study.
The letter. which fully explains Mr.. Bar
rett's object, is dated Panama, December
IA, 1904, and is as follows:
Sir: / have the honor to inclose my
check on the Chemical National Bank OF
New York city, payable to your order, for
two hundred and twenty-five dollars ($225)
which 1 desire to offer through you as
prizes for the best papers on the relations
OF the United States with the Latin-Ameri-
can republics, to be competed for by young
men and women now in the regular course
OF any university or college of recognized
standing in the United States.
In making this offer 1 am prompted by
sincere desire to do something to develop
throughout the United States wider in
terest in our political and commercial rela-
tons with Latin America and to foster
more general study of Latin-American his
tory and institutions, political, social and
educational conditions material and indus
trial resources and commercial possibilities
especially as they affect the growth of
closer ties of international comfy and con-
fidence.
Beginning with my service as delegate
OF the United States to the Pan-American
conference in 1901-1902 and continued later
by experience as United States minister
hrSt in Argentina and later in Panama my
study of Latin-American nations and peo-
pie has convinced me that there are no
serious obstacles to the evolution of the
closest and lasting good will and friendly
lnterdependence. The difference of lam
guage and blood is after all not so serious
as often described, and can be easily coun-
terbalanced by cordial effort on the mart of
the people OF the United States to under
stand and appreciate Latin character. proc
esses and methods of life, business and poll
tics. rO''
The greatest barrier to achieving this
END SO far has seemed TO me to be the alb
larger portions of the educated men and
women of the United States as to the real
Latin America. In a thousand WAYS this
r mas u se,a Drought nome to me during the
On the other hand the average Latin
american has far better knowledge of
Tue pontlcs; people, history ana material
therefore take measures to reciprooate and
80 increase this interest. The present js
most opportune for inaugurating a new era
IN the study or Latin America, because
under the administration of President
roosevelt and his announced policy. IN
whom and which the Latin states have
great confidence, remarkable progress ia
national relations.
wish that the students of our coI,erea
ana universities would take up the study OF
the Spanish language as they do French
and German. and another year / hone to
oHer corresponding prizes to promote the
Study or that tongue, which In the future
may be more useful to the young America
than either French or German
I'm submitting this offer desire to name
yourself. DR.. Albert Shaw, and President
John H Finley. IL you and they will serve,
as committee to arrange and promulgate
the terms and limits of the competition.
Whatever expense is attached to acquaint-
ing me various colleges with the offer and
completing arrangements for a successful
competition / shall gladly meet
The sum might be divided. if you think
pest, into three prizes, respectively of S1O0,
f' ..y ana 700 but do not insist upon 1t.
Yours very respectfully,
loigneo) JOHN BARRETT.
american Mfnisfar