The Washington herald., 1915-12-28


ing between this nation and her sister
republics.
Color. Ponp, Ceremony.
A generosity Of color, pomp and cere-
mony such as no previous international
gathering In recent years has known,
marked the opening ceremonies at Ne
mortal Continental Hall. which had been
placed at the disposal of the congress.
Ushered through the heavy glass doors.
under two huge silk American flags. held
at attention by u. s. marines in dress
uniform, the distinguished visitors found
themselves In n reception hall generously
festooned with national banners, under
which hastened to and fro the smartest
Of military and naval aids. IN full dress.
and representing every branch of the
service.
The big auditorium was a riot Of
patriotic bunting. galleries and boxes
being generously draped, Members OF
the congress were seated on the floor
of the auditorium. and in front rows
of the galleries. where their ladies
also found accommodations. In the
stage boxes were a number of distin
guished women. many of them d. A. r.
leaders.
The auditorium was filled to capaci-
ty when John Barrett. director-gen
eral of the Pan-American Union and
secretary-general of the congress. an
nounced the formal convening of the
second Pan-American Scientific Con-
gress.
President Sends Greetings.
Vice President Marshall ard Secre-
tary of State Lansing occupied seats
on the platform with Mr.. Barrett and
the diplomatic representatives. of all
the Latin-American states. While the
guests were filing in. and during the
rendition of THE Messiah" by the
chorus OF the Home Club. directed by
Prof. Otto T. Simon. two huge Ameri-
can flags were held at attention by
uniformed marines. standing at either
side of the stage. Following the
Messiah" the chorus rendered for the
first time the official pan-American
hymn, the words of which are by
Eduardo Poirer with music by Enrique
Doro b. Members OF the congress
and visitors stood during the rendition
of the hymn.
President Wilson perforce was alb
sent. being represented by Vice Presi-
dent Marshall. Mr.. Barrett. however.
received and read the following tele-
gram from the President:
'Please present my warmest greet
ing to the delegates to the Pan-Ameri-
can Scientific Congress and extend to
them. on my behalf. a most cordial
welcome. II seems to me to be of the
happiest omen that the attendance up
on the congress should be SO large
and the interest in its proceedings so
great. I hope that the greatest sue
cess will attend every activity of the
congress, and that the intimate inter-
course of thought which lit produces
will bind Americans still closer to-
gether throughout both continents.
alike in sympathy and purpose"
Dwell. ON Preparedness.
Vice President Marshall spoke briefly.
laying particular stress on the need OF
military preparedness. which remarks,
addressed TO such an audience. were
given an International significance.
Il believe in the preparation of this
for war. he declared. Not
that I want war. because the dream. the
prayer of my life is that We shall keep
out of war. but ! know myself. and I
have no way OF measuring other men.
and l am not willing to have some ruf-
fan interfere with things that ! believe
to be my rights"
Secretary Lansing said in part:
Nearly century has passed since
President Monroe proclaimed to the
world his famous doctrine as the national
policy of the United States. 1t was
founded on the principle that the safety
of this republic would be imperiled by
the extension OF sovereign rights by a
European power over territory In this
hemisphere. Conceived in a suspicion OF
monarchial institutions and In full
sympathy with the republican idea. II
WAS uttered at a time when our neigh
bors to the south had won their inde-
pendence and were gradually adapting
themselves to the exercise of their newly
acquired rights. To those struggling ma
tions the doctrine became shield
against the great European powers,
whicn. In the spirit OF the age coveted
political control over the rich regions
which the newborn states had made
their own.
Within recent years the government
OF the United States has found no oc-
casion, with the exception of the Nene-
zuelan boundary incident. TO remind
Europe that the Monroe doctrine con-
tinues unaltered a national policy of this
republic. The republics of America are
no longer children in the great family of
nations. They have attained maturity.
with enterprise and patriotic fervor they
are working out their several destinies.
During this later time. when the
American nations have come into a real
liza ton of their nationality and are fully
conscious of the responsibilities and
privileges which are theirs as sovereign
and independent states. there has grown
up feeling that the republics of this
constitute a group separate
and apart from the other nations of the
world. a group which is united by COM
mon ideals and common aspirations.
I. 8. Is Not Greedy.
This feeling. vague at first. has be-
come today a definite and certain force.
We term it the 'pan-American spirit.
from which springs the international
policy of pan-Americanism. 1t is that
policy which is responsible for this
great gathering OF distinguished men.
who represent the best and most ad-
vanced thought OF the Americas. 1t Is
a policy which this government has un-
adopted and which will do
all in its power to foster and promote.
II speak only for the government OF
the United States but in doing so I
am sure that express sentiments which
will find an echo in every republic rep
resented here when I say that the might
in spirit of greed to wrest from a
state its territory or possess
sions The ambitions of this republic do
not lie in the path Of conquest. but in
the paths of peace and Justice. When
ever and wherever We can we will
stretch forth a hand to those who need
help.
Renl Work Starts To-day.