Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-06-16
THE STUDY OF SPANISH.

The Lynchburg News IN an aoie
editorial calls attention TO the fact that
in most OF our high school and col
leees. German and French are taught,
the Spanish language receives compar-
atlvely little attention. There are
special reasons why that language
should be learned by American stu
dents. Spanish is the vernacuIar OF
nearly all the countries south OF us
from Mexico to Patagonia, as well as
in Cuba and Porto Rico, and 1t is
largely used in the Philippines. 1t is
true that Portuguese is spoken IN the
republic OF Brazil, but Portuguese is
very similar to Spanish. Our relations
with the Latin American people. both
political and commercial, are already
OF great importance. and they are
destined 10 become immensely more
important n the near future, espe'
cially after the completion OF the Fan
anna canal. Many millions OF Ameri-
can capital are invested in Cuba, Mex
leo Central America and South Amer
lea. 1t is evident to the most casual
observer that these countries form the
mos. promising field for the eSpan-
sion Of American commerce; they
produce what We want, and this
country can supply what they
want; the exchange Of commodies would
prove mutually beneficial, and yet
Europe has much larger share OF
L,tin-American trade than the United
States, aud this, too, In spite OF the
fact that under the Monroe doctrine
the United States is playing the part OF
big brother, and guaranteeing the IN
tegrity OF the Latin republic. 1t can
not ne denied that in some OF these re-
publics there is spirit OF dIstrust, II
not hostility, towards the United
States. They fear what they call greed
and the land hunger Of our people; they
point to the fact that We have twice &C
ouired possession OF part OF the ter
rtorv OF Mexico. The president and
members OF his cabinet have time and
again disayowed any purpose or desire
to acquire more territory on this con-
,,nent, but these disavowalS are not al
WAYS taken at face value.
1t is true that Venezuela and Argen-
tina have recently expressed very friend
" sentiments towards the United States
hut it is also true that there is linser-
inp resentment in Colombia aud Chile,
and If one may Judge from the news
papers OF Rio de Joneiro, there Is, to
saw the least. the lack OF cordial friend
shin towards the United States in Brazil.
IL would be obviously good policy IN
the interest Of commerce to convince
our southern ieiSuooiS WV W. '''S''''
no purposes iuimical to their best in
terests. We want their friendship and
and their trade. We should adopt
proper methods to obt&in them. Agents
properly equipped should be sent to
represent American interests and learn
how to cater to the demands of the de
sired customers. To that end 4 know
ledge Of the Spanish language Is indls-
pensable. The study OF that language
might we'll take the place of some OF
the subjects now taught 10 our schools.
and of which the pupil gets mere
smattering.
The language is not difficult of
acquisition, especially for one who has
80 ne knowledge OF Latin. As he
writer can testify from personal ex-
psrience, it is simple in constructor,
AMI, withal is one OF the most beautl-
f,l languages OF AL Europe. The
literature is scarcely excelied in extent
and value by that OF any other modern
tongue. Our school authorities would
do we'll to consider this matter and
give to students the opportunity OF
acquiring Spanish as well as German
and French.