Los Angeles herald., 1908-03-28
OF WORLDWIDE INTEREST
| BUPEAUOF AMERICAN REPUBLICS |
BY FREDERIC J. HAsklN

llC DtSt IOultS 10 lTdNtis lOI OIlG VI
the aims OF the institution Is TO en-
courage travel between the nations,
whether for business or pleasure. Be-
lieving that the educational spirit of
the republics would be broadened and
bettered by intercourse with each
other the bureau has planned a scheme
for the exchange of representative
scholars and publicists between the ma
tions. 1t has likewise put forth a strong
plea for the Introduction Of the Span
ish and Portuguese languages in the
curricula of the schools of the United
States and of the English language in
those OF South America. 1t has pro-
vided the leading colleges and univer-
sities of all the republics with lists of
books that give information regarding
the political. historical intellectual and
material progress Of each country.
The history of the pan-American bu-
reau is short when measured In years
but infinitely long when measured In
achievements. Through its influence
the winged god of commerce has far
Outstripped the stately pace OF the solar
year and has hurried the various repub-
lies along at dizzying pace toward the
worlds markets. In October, 1890. the
first international conference of Amer
ican republics was held in Washington.
nAiiiVo L'tdillCs tltU SetIStdTY OF
state, presiding. Resolutions were
passed establishing the bureau for
mutual help. When the second confer
ence was held in Mexico in 1901 resolu-
tions were passed continuing the bu-
reau, but 1t was at the third confer
ence in Rio Janeiro In 1905 that the in
sutton was enlarged to its present
scope and was placed on the permanent
basis that makes 1t such an important
Il 4 IL. -. 4
commerce and friendly intercourse of
the nations.
This deserved apotheosis of the bu-
reau among all international organiza-
tions is due to the acumen of Elihu
Root, secretary of state. He looked fur
ther into the future than most busy
men have time to do, and saw, as did
the dreamer in Lockesley hall, largo
sizes of magic sails. pilots of the purple
twilight, dropping down with costly
bales" and being a typical American
he knew that success meant combining
dreams and reality, and so set about
directing these future argosies toward
American ports. He has dreamed that
the United States must attain even
greater commercial supremacy, must
grow bigger. wider and more tolerant
along educational and political lines.
and through the pan-American bu-
reau he sees the greatest opportunities
for making his dreams come true.
If Elihu Root was the inspiration of
the bureau of the American republics
John Barrett is its realization. When
the governing board, In December, 1906,
chose a director to succeed William C.
Fox. who had been appointed minister
to Ecuador. the unanimous choice fell
on John Barrett. then United States
minister to Colombia. A man of liberal
education. of boundless information on
International affairs. of indefatigable
zeal and marvellous tact he is possibly
the one man that birth, talent and
training have fitted for the responsible
place. He had proved a living exem-a
plification of the hackneyed phrase,
Strenuous life." before the present
chief executive coined IT. and has re-
mained as a continual inspiration to
young America ever since he won his
spurs In international diplomacy the
time President Cleveland sent him on
a delicate mission into Siam-the
youngest man who ever represented the
United States as minister to a foreign
court. These natural and acquired at
tributes. coupled with descent from
stanch New England revolutionary
stock, have made of him a typical
American.
A cosmopolite in the best sense of the
word, Mr.. Barrett belongs to all the
United States. for he was born and
educated in the east, holds a degree
from a southern college and lived in
the west He belongs also to the Latin
American people, having been in turn
minister to Argentina, Panama and
Colombia. He belongs to the other en-
lightened nations. too, by virtue of the
work he did in 1902 and 1903 in eplist-
ing the interest of foreign countries In
the st. Louis exposition and by virtue
of his obtaining the first satisfactory
definition of the extra territorial rights
of Americans in Asiatiee countries.
In the secretary. DR.. Francisco j.
Yanes. the director has a most able
assistant. An eminent Latin-Ameri-
can scholar and man of practical
zeal, he has been potent factor in the
progressive work of the bureau. When
the fourth pan-American conference is
held in Buenos Ayres in 1910 there will
be much evidence to show that the
wish mot only to advance commerce
and trade, but to strengthen comfy
and friendship among all the republics
of the western hemisphere has come
true. 1t will have found its full reali-
zation through the bureau of the Amer
ican republics.
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