Evening star., 1915-05-29
SAYS T0kNOW SPANISH
WILL AID BUSINESS MEN
DR.. Glen L. Swiggett's Advice to
Those Seeking Trade in South
ern Republics.

The necessity for the study of Span
ish by those of the United states who
would engage in trade with the Span
ish American republics was brought
out by DR.. Glen Levin Swiggett, dele
gate to the pan-American financial
congress and professor of romance Ian
euages in the University of Tennessee,
speaking upon the subject of The
Status of Spanish in the United States
at the May meeting Of the Spanish
American Atheueum at the New VII
lard Hotel last night.
The last meeting of the season, pre-
sided over by Bishop Charles War
rem Currier. was largely attended. in
the audience being number of dele
gates to the panAmerican financial
congress, which closes its sessions In
this city today.
Urges International Viewpoint.
Business men OF the United States
are ill-prepared to engage in trade
with other American republics until
there is given in our schools and col
leges the opportunity to acquire the
larger yanta ges of an International
viewpoint based on the study of the
commercial languages of the world :"
declared DR.. Swiggett
Among these languages. certainly at
this time, none offers greater advan-
tsge to American business than the
study of that language spoken in our
sister republics to the south OF us.
and with whom for several years now
our most enlightened men of business
and public service have made frank and
genuine overtures of friendship. This
is certainly shown by their desire to
engage in commerce and trade with the
Latin American countries with mutual
profit; and further in the belief. as was
SO admirably and convincingly stated
by President Wilson in his sane and
sincere statement made in his opening
address at the present pan-Amerfcan
conference-name1y, that an enlighten-
cd selhshness compelled the repubics
of the western world, whether by the
God of nations temporarily more ia
vored, or otherwise. to so group them
selves in a larger world unit that by
this solidarity and In this cooperation
an opportunity might be afforded for
the pronouncement of a larger world
message. and for a greater progress In
the propa ganda of peace.
Neglected by Schools.
Despite the present apparent interest
throughout the United States for the
Spanish speaking countries Of Central
and South America. Prof. Swiggett de-
clared- it has not yet solidly crystallized
in the introduction in our schools and
colleges of the Spanish language. Out
Of otal school attendance of nearly
".ao0,0oo, DIR. Swiggett asserted. there
arc only about 10000 students now
studying Spanish. The western states,
with California leading, have pre-
ponderating interest in the study. of
Spanish he said over third of the
students studying Spanish in the sec
ondary schools of the United States
being in California.
In DR. Swiggetts judgment the
Atheneum has 1t within its power to
do for the Spanish language what the
Alliance Francois has done for French
throughout the United states.
novel feature of the meeting was
an address In Spanish by Lincoln G
Valentine upon The Pan-American
IDEALS
Pleased With Interest Shown.
Mrs. Jennie o. Beriner. the secre-
tary general of the Atheneum. ex-
pressed qualification at the enthusi
astic interest which had been shown
in the reorganization OF the society,
and outlined the plan of work to be
toned the play which Is to be given
under the personal supervision of
Sonora Dona Rosario Bunoz de Nor
rison, who has already presented the
play before the Club Espanol of Boston.
Sonora Dona Rosario Munoz de Nor
rison and Wilbur Stutz gave dance.
Las Sevillanas." accompanied by Miss
Irene Hardesty. Sonora Morrison also
recited Sonora Gustayo Guerra sang
several solos. among them the favorite,
la Paloma.
The reception committee was com
posed o. Or. c. l.. G. Anderson, Senor
Don F. NJ Amores. Miss Heloise
Rrainerd, Senior Don Jose Coronado.
Mark F. Finley. jr.: Mrs. Edith New
man. Walter Scott Penfield. Mrs. David
Pressler, Harry o. Sandberg and Harry
w. Van Dyke.