Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-09-25
CELEBRATING BALBOA DAY.

It'was on September % 1913, that Nasco Nunez
Balboa looked down upon and ont over the "S"nth
ern Sea. Of which he had been told by Central Amer
len Indians and today the four hundred and third
anniversary Of the event is being duly observed and
eonlmemoraied. IL .-... -.
II Is perhaps a lnsnomcr to term the arrival Of
Balboa at point where he could look out upon the
ocean OF which he had heard discovery" since he
had received positive and authentic information of
its existence Contrary too TO more or less gen,
orally held idea the name ''Pacifc" was not bestow'
I'd npon il by him but by Magellan seven years lat
er. Balboa called il "Mar del Sur" the southern
sea. But the event. whether discovery or not, was
of snficient Importance TO warrantSits observance
and commemor:tion especially in the light OF events
that have followed and to follow, by all OF the
countries which border upon the Pacific Ocean
Positive knowledge of great ocean lying beyond
the aNew World melted its exploration in the hope
OF discovery of other new and rich lands Those sub
eeaupnt explorations and discoveries made inevlta-
be the mingng OF eastern and western civilization.
The admixiure was slow in some instances ana
IN one is only just at hand for it is only very
recently that China has accepted the idea that lis
ancient and long proven civilization might learn
and adopt much from another and younger though
more virile civilization, but il has been brought
about. Ell
The observance OF Balboa Day by the peoples OF
the Pacific is emnently fitting 1t marks the earliest
beginning of an era that was to mean the setting
81 unsettled lands, the advent of civilization with
consequent education and progress to uncivlilzed
Dlaces and the leavening of the already existing civil
lizafions OF China and Japan Thus from the era
the Beginning of which may be said TO be marked
br the arrival of Baboaon the borders OF the souin
crn sea, has every country on the Pacific already
rtaned 4 rich harvest of benefit and thus is there
planted the seed to insure richer and more abun-
DAM harvest in the years and centuries that are to
come
balboa Day thus furnishes an occasion when ever!
nation and every colony in or bordering upon the
pacific Ocean. irrespective OF race or Of creed can
meet upon common ground. One and al have fhel
heneittedby the nd of the western civilization and
,,,oo,essivism. That is their common meeting
tronnd, their common view point
In Christian Europe there is one day of days that
ali can unite in observing Christmas. But in the
lands that border on the Pacific there exist other
treeds and doctrines and religions than those Of
Christ. Baibd5 day can furnish nothing TO compare
with the deep aud tender significance of Christmas
tide with an ofits attendant customs, but 1t at least
furnishes the one day when ali of the peoples may
mite IN q ceremonial observance, gives an added
meeting point and so brings them closer together.
win thus live them a closer acquaintance with ane
BETTER understanding of one another.
he idea Of epacifc Brotherhood" may be al
.|..t and far from naturalization just as Is TIT
...|.htfhood OF the World and the "Brotherhoot
Mains hit the finding of an occasion upon which
..,I6Is peoples have and can see that they hay'
1 celebrate together is at least a step in tina
IS. and tends to add to the cordiality OF rea
|6 at least strengthen friendship.