The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-05-14
San Antonio Birthplace
Of Pan -Americdnisn
Gateway to Mexico and ExempliHcation of Effort at
Closer Relations Between Western Republics Soon
to Celebrate Two-Hundredth Anniversary.

San Antonio. Texas. q city OF quaint
history and tradition, IL proposing TO
celebrate its two-hundredth birthday
with q Pan-American Exposition. The
affair, which will be devoted primar-
lily to the promotion Of closer social
and commercial relations between the
United states and the other republics
OF this hemisphere. will be staged
In 1918.
II will be two hundred years In 1918
since the franciscan Frisrs came up
out OF the heart Of Mexico and pion-
eered the way for a civilization which
has contributed many wonderful
chapters to the social and political
annals of the United States.
The movement IL receiving the COR
dial corporation OF many Washin g-
ton ofnciala while the Pan-American
terest dignitaries OF the Central and
South American nations In the ex-
position and Is pointing. out to them
the advantages that will accrue as q
result OF their participation.
Secretary OF state Lansing. who has
been an important factor In the pro-
motion OF Pan-American solidarity,
has given the project his enthusiastic
indorsement and In q recent state
disqualification In this country OF
Pan Americanism, In which we are
particularly. interested at the present
time and which is drawing the vari-
gether."
Cabinet Officers Help.
Secretary Redheid. OF the Depart
ment Of Commerce, recognizes in the
exposition an important factor In In.
creasing the rapidly growing COM
mercial accounta. between business
men Of the United States and bust
ness men OF the southern republics.
The other Cabinet officers are contri-
ter General Burleson and Attorney
Gregory. both OF whom are Texans, and
are intimately acquainted with details
Of the project.
There ia now pending in the Senate
and the House Of Representatives a
Joint resolution authorizing President
Wilson TO Issue proclamation inviting
the South and Central American ma
tons TO participate. In the. exposition.
orabiy reported by the Senate Commit.
tee on Industrial Expositions, of which
Senator MARITIME OF New Jersey Ia chair.
man. In his report Senator MARITIME
ut is especially appropriate that such
an expedition should be held in San An.
tonic. The city was founded by the
rranciscan Friars In his, and for more
than 100 years was under Spanish rule
with its gradual expansion Into a large
manufacturing and distributing center
its trade with the Spanish American
peoples to the South rapidly Increased
Today It enjoys a wide commercial re.
lationship with these peoples. II IL al
ready, therefore. an disqualification OF
practical an-Americanism. and pre-
sents admirable facilities for an ex-
position Of the character now contem-
plated.
Furthermore the fact that recent
events have tended to unite the ma
tions Of all the Americas-North, Cen
friendship and trade makes an erposi-
ton Ike this particularly opportine al
Home For Latin-American.
San Antonio. because Of its geograph.
ical location as q gateway to Mexico
and because of It's long and historic as,
sociations with this nation is a city ir
which the Inflammation finds him.