Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-22

at times when the movement was unpop
ular, much good work has been done. u
the report of the executive director, Ar
thur D. Call, the aims Of the organization
are broadly stated as being for the pro
motion of active cooperation of all agen
cies making for International fraternity
and for the extension of education re
garding the causes, effects and prevention
Of war.
Geographically the United States ha!
an advantage enjoyed by no other first
class power in the world It's location
removed from any other nation of equa
importance, gives it a freedom from the
constant preparation for war which i:
SO evident in Europe. Peace in the new
world has for the most part been dis.
turbed by the unrest of the countries ir
South America, but since the twenty ont
republics of the western hemisphere have
formed Pan-American Union a great
change is being enacted for the cause OF
peace.
This union, which was formerly known
as the International Bureau Of American
Republics, was established in 1890 In
Washington. At that time resolution
passed by the first American conference
presided over by Mr.. Blaine, Secretary
Of State. gave life to the project. Five
years ago when this bureau was reor-
ganized under its present administration
John Barrett was made director and
Francisco j. Yanes. a Venezuelan of
y.
pointed as assistant to this office. As
Mr.. Barrett has held various diplomatic
posts in the countries of South America,
and has served on commercial commits
sions to the east, his experience has
proved of great value in the direction
of the affairs Of the union.
The purpose of the Pan-American
Union was expressed by Mr.. Carnegie
who said at the opening of the building
that the twenty-one republics Of America
were forming themselves into a sister.
hood Of peaceful republics. On that occa.
sion President Taft said: we twenty.
one republics cannot afford to have any
two or three of us quarrel 1t was pro-
posed to establish a reign of peace in
America by submitting all disputes to
arbitration. AS the Pan american Union
holds that quarrelS and controversies are
less apt to arise between nations when
the people Of one land understand those
OF the other, the organization aims to
bring about international understanding.
1t exerts its efforts to acquaint each re-
public with the customs conditions and
Avs of every other republic. To this
end it publishes numerous books
pamphlets. reports and maps i'm several
languages, thereby enabling itself to pro-
vide information to one government sup
piled by another. 1t also diffuses knowl-
edge through the reprints from maya
zines. newspapers, customs tariff regu-
lations and copies of laws relating to
mining, immigration. patents and trade
marks Of the Latin American republics.
In the Columbia Memorial Library of this
organization there are nearly $1,000 books
ami pamphlets to furnish information ia
the several thousand inquirers who seek
data each year.
through a correspondence of several
thousand letters a month, as well as by
the distribution of about five hundred
thousand pieces Of printed matter a
year. much practical and useful i'm d
formation is spread throughout the
world. The bureau devotes its energies
to the development and conservation of
commerce and to the accomplishment
and continuance Of friendly intercourse
and good will among all the American
republics.
The twenty-one republics work to-
gether. The representatives, who meet
at the Pan-American Union conduct the
affairs of the organization. A visitor
in the Temple of Peace, as the Pan
American Union home is called, is at
tracted by the size and elegance of the
large Hall Of America where conven-
tons are held. but his interest is really
centered on the room where the govern
ing board of the union transacts it's
business The elegantly carved chairs
displaying the coats-of-arms Of the vari-
GUS American republics, placed around
the huge mahogany table, tell the story
that every republic has equal repre-
At present the organization combines
$50. OOO. 900 people. 10000, 900 OF whom