Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-05
FORM AN ATHENEUM |ALEXANDR|AAFFA
Officers of Spanish-American
Organization Elected.
SEVERAL ADDRESSES MADE
Tell Benefits to Be Derived From
Study of Language and Litera-
ture of Spain.

The Spanish-American Atheneum, the
purpose of which is to promote a wider
knowledge of Spanish and Spanish
American literature and to encourage the
study by North Americans of the Span
ish language, was formed at a we'll at
tended meeting at the National Museum
last evening.
Francisco J. Yanes. assistant director
Of the Pan American Union. called the
meeting 10 order. He said that the idea
of such an organization had been in his
mind for thirty years and that every
body whom he had consulted favored
such an institution. He said that he was
not alone to be credited with the idea;
it had occurred to others. He believed
that the Atheneum would become the
pride of Washington and a powerful edu-
cational factor in America.
Senior Don Juan RianO Gayangos,
minister from Spain, made felicitous
speech. He said the Atheneum idea was
an excellent one and would have the sup
port of Spain. Personally he would labor
for its success. To a country like the
United States. already come into such
close contact with SpaniSh-Speaking coun-
tries. great good would flow from a more
general study of the Spanish language
and of Spanish literature. Spain was
little known to the people of the United
wrong An institution like the Atheneum
would be useful in dispelling erroneous
ideas.
The Spanish minister dwelt on Spain s
record as civilizing and educational
agency in America From Texas and
California to Para quay, he said, the Span
ish mission had been the outpost of civili-
zation Whenever and wherever church
was erected. then and there school was
established and the teaching of reading
and writing among the nations was be-
gun. He said the Atheneum was in line
with the glorious traditions of his country
and deserved general support
Fills a Need.
The Mexican ambassador. Senior Don
Manuel Calero, the next speaker. said
that the Atheneum filled a need in fur
nishing common meeting ground for
North and South America and that beau
tiful Washington cosmopolitan Wash
ington. was the appropriate city for the
home of such an institution
John Barrett, director general of the
Pan American Union. doomed the idea
of the Atheneum. and the Rev. Father
Charles Warren Currier. an authority on
Spanish and Spanish-American literature,
spoke of the good which would come to
the people of the United States from an
understanding of the books of Spain.
Father Currier. who has had great
deal 10 do with the inception of the
Atheneum. said that many of the best
writer's in deterrent countries have al
ready Signifed their willingness to be-
come corresponding members of the Athe-
neum, among these being the Princess
Teresa of Bavaria, Sir Clements Mark
ham. Senior Rafael Altimira of Spain.
Senior Jose T. Medina of Chile, Senior
j. Lafone Quevedo of the Argentine Re
public, and DR.. Rafael Villavicencio. pres
ident of the National Academy of His
of 10
Nine. de Baralt, who had occupied a
seat on the stage, was Introduced as a
noted lecturer from Cuba. She wore a
gown as beautiful as Spanish speech. and
spoke English with soft Virginia &C
cent. Her speciality is the literature of
Spain and Spanish-America. and her list
of eminent authors was long one.
Officers Are Elected.
The Atheneum elected officers as fol-
lows: President, Francisco ]. Yanes; vice
presidents. Ambassador Calero, Senior
Don Joaquin b. CalEo. minister of Costa
Rica; Senior Don Ignacio Calderon, min
lister from Bolivia; Senior Don FREDERICK
Mejia. minister from Salvador; Senior Don
p. EzeQuiel Rojas, minister from Vene-
Zuela; Senior Don Juan Riano. minister
from Spain; Senior Don Rafael Maria
Arizaga, minister from Ecuador; Senior
Salvador Castrillo. jr.. minister from
Nicaragua; Senior Ledo. DR.. Don Antonio
Martin-Rivero, minister from Cuba; Senior
Don Romulo S. Naon, minister from Ar
gentina Senior DR.. Don Carlos Maria de
Pena, minister from Uruguay; Senior Don
Eduardo VI. Suarez. minister from Chile
Senior Don Joaquin MendeZ, minister from
Guatemala: Senior Don Ricardo Arias,
minister from Panama; Senior Don Fred
erico Alfonso Pezet, minister from Peru;
Senior Don Roberto MacDOual, charge
d'affaires Of Colombia, and Senior DR.. Don
Alberto Membrane. minister from Hon
duras; treasurer, j. Selwin TAFT; secre-
tary, Julian Moreno-Lacalle.