Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-05-24
Believes Handsome Rivalry
of Nations Will Point the
Way to the World.
TO END EXPL0lTATI0h
President Discusses Need of
More Ships and Opening
of Trade Routes.


dent Wilson. speaking at the opening
OF the Pan-American financial confer
ence here. today. expressed the hope
that the Americas might show the
world the path TO peace The presi-
dent was loudly applauded as he en-
tered the hall OF the Americas in the
Pan-American Union building. where
the meetings are being held. on the
platform were members OF the cabi-
net. while the audience included many
high government officials in addition
20 the representatives OF South and
Central American countries.
The president declared the people
OF the Americas were not trying TO
make use of one another. but We're
trying TO be OF use 20 one another. He
spoke OF the Handsome rivalry
which he said was good for nations
The lack OF physical means OF comun-
nication between the Americas. he
said. stood somewhat In the way of
the development OF commerce and
friendship. In advocating more ships
in Pan-American trade and the open
ing OF new routes. the president said
that II private capital cannot soon es-
tablish such means OF communication,
the government must undertake 10 do
so.
President Wilson spoke as follows:
There can be no sort of union Of
interest II there IS a purpose OF ex-
ploitation on the part OF any person
connected with a great conference of
this sort We are not. therefore, try
ing TO make use OF each other, but
we are trying TO be OF use 10 one
another
Cementing OF Nelghbors.
1t IS very surprising 10 me. it IS |
even a source OF modification. that a /
conference like this should have been |
so long delayed. that il had never oc- |
CURED before. that il should have re-
quired a crisis OF the world 10 show /
the Americans how truly they were |
neighbors 10 one another. II there is /
any one happy circumstance. gentle
men. arising out OF the present dis
tressing circumstances OF the world, /
Il IS that IL has revealed US 10 one I
another: IL has shown US what II /
means 20 be neiEhbors. And I can
not help harboTing the hope, the very 4
high hope. that by this commerce OF
minds with one another. as well as
commerce in goods. we may show the
world in part the path 10 peace.
1t would be a very great thing If
the Americas could add TO the dis
tinction which they already wear. this
OF showing the way 10 peace. TO per
manent peace. The way 20 peace for
US. NJ any rate. IS manifest. II is the
kind OF rivalry which does not involve
aggression II Is the knowledge that
men can be OF the greatest service
10 one another and nations OF the
greatest service 20 another. when the
jealousy between them is merely a
jealousy Of excellence and when the
basis OF their intercourse IS friend
ship. There Is only one way in which
we wish TO take advantage OF it, and
that is by making better goods. by
doing the things that we seek to do
for each other better. n we can. than
you do them. and so spurring you on.
n we might. by so handsome ieal-
oasy as that 20 excel us.
Lack Of Communication.
There is one thing that stands in
,ur way among others-for you are
more conversant with the circum-
itances than I am: the thing I have
.hieay in mind IS the physical lack of
means OF communication. the lack of
the lack OF ships. the lack Of
established routes Of trade-the lack
4 those things which are absolutely
necessary II We are to have true COM
nercial and intimate commercial re-
ations with one another; and ] am
,erfectly clear In my judgment that {
Z private capital cannot soon enter \
n the venture of establishing these ,
,hysical means OF communication. the
government must undertake to do So
we cannot know each other unless I
re see each other: We cannot deal {
ri;h each other unless we communi- {
ate with each other. So soon as we /
and are on q familiar {
oo;ing OF intercourse with one anoth- s
r. we shall understand one another, a
nd the bonds between the Americas l
riii be such bonds that no influence {
hat the world may produce in the fu- {
are will ever break them