The Washington herald., 1908-03-07

by the association. al home and abroad.
The president Of the club. John r. Sic.
man. jr.. explained the meaning Of ths
name the Neutrality-suspicious. Club
He said It was adopted because the mer
Of the association in Washington worked
while they OF the far East slept. anc
they Of the far East worked while they
Of Washington slept. thus keeping the
Young Mems Christian Association open
the entire day.
John Barretfs speech.
John Barrett. Of the Bureau Of Amer
lean Republics, was the next speaker
Secretary Taft came in the hall while
Mr.. Barrett was talking Mr.. Barrett
spoke Of the young men Of South Amer
lea and of the field there for young men
OF the United States. lie said:
South America is a country Of young
men who realize that the future of their
country depends upon them, and they
work TO that end
we must look upon South America as
country with a climate suited to the
best white man. There is a new race OF
people growing up in South America
Latins mixing with Germans, Swedes
e,4AcA4s ans AA-o o4AW-AS IA EElAEAGA- ne
young men are white. broad-shoulderad
fine specimens OF manhood. The country
IS a gridirOn. it is covered with rail-
roads. trunk lines running in all direc-
tions. There is no place on the Western
Hemisphere where opportunities for work
by your association are better than In
Argentina.
Brazil has aspirations TO become a
world power. The country is rich. its
resources are wonderful The young men
OF Brazil go into everything They are
seen in the Brazilian congress: they are
everywhere
Mr.. Barrett then spoke OF Secretary OF
State Roots recent visit to that country.
and the great good he had accomplished.
He said:
by his trip, his speeches. and efforts
he has accomplished more for American
prestige in the Western Hemisphere than
any other American. His visit has caused
a complete change in attitude in South
America toward the United States. Pre-
vious 10 the Secretary's visit. the people
of that country looked upon the average
American as one seeking something he
had no right 20 possess"
He added:
The people Of South America are look
ing 10 the United States for moral leader
ship. We must study il We must learn
IL; ii viii be 10 our advantage"
The Secretary OF War followed Mr. Bar
rett. and his rising was the signal for
an Outburst Of applause
Speech by Secretary Taft.
Secretary Taft said:
1 have spoken about the Young Men
Christian Association around the world.
had 70 leave this country 20 understand
the usefulness of the Y. NJ. c. A. in the
world.
In the teaching Of millions to govern
themselves in the Philippine Islands many
Americans were called upon. A great
many of them turned out to be anything
but Americans or Filipinos to follow.
There were forty American treasurers in
the insular service. and seventeen Of them
turned out TO be defauIters. Il took cheek
to stand up and say we were there to
improve them, but We stood our ground.
and sent the seventeen to Blibid peni-
tentiary. This proved a lesson 10 the
Filipinos II showed them punishment
was applied TO Americans as well as 10
the natives. This defaulting on the part
OF Americans was Illuminating. It was
not only theft. but traitorous-lack OF
honor Of country. When a great army
travels far away to a new field there
are bound to be many men following in
the wake, and, as a rule, they are not
the best Of Americans. These experiences
burned into my soul. and the necessity
for some agency which could be substi-
tuted for home presented Itself to me
very forcibly.
The Young Mems Christian Assecia-
ton offered the atmosphere Of Christian
club life I always felt deeply gratified
for its following the army to the Philip
pines. II was instrumental in aiding
Americans in many ways It's first duty
was to look after Americans, and then
after the natives. different methods were
used. as the natives do not take things
as Americans do. Not long ago an
effort Was made to raise $4,000, for by
so Going a substantial gift would be made
the association in Manila for the -erec-
ton Of a new association building. The
quick manner this money was raised
surprised me. did not think il could be