The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-07-20
and Central American countries as
Isembled at Washington for the Pan
Anarican Cpn forpncQ.

and Central American countries as
jsembled at Washington for the Pan
American conferences:
I'VE cannot know each other
until we can communicate with
each other. So soon as we can
communicate and are upon IA
miliar footing Of intercourse with
one another we shall understand
one another. and the bonds be-
tween the Americas will be such
bonds that no influence that the
world may produce in the future
will ever break them"
The French, German and English
have considered Latin-America their
particular property Even France,
our lifelong friend, according to
Georges LaFond in the Paris Revue,
is prepared to enter upon keen rival
ry with the United States to gain the
southern continent. The war has
eliminated England, France and Ger
many, but We have not begun to fill the
vacant lot--"Now is the acceptable
time for us to get In our best work.
With the end Of the European con-
flict the struggle for the South Ameri-
can market will begin in all It's fe-
rocity."
Why, and how, have Germany and
France been able to introduce their
goods in Mexico and South America
SO extensively? Simply because their
|agents, statesmen, ETC., knew the
Spanish language, were able to con-
verse with their customers in their
native tongue, and were glad and will
ling to take the time to win Latin
Americans by persuasive, eloquent
augmentation, all Of which bears out
President Wilson'S words quoted
above, whereas we of the United
States of America are obliged to
transact business, or, rather, try to
transact business through interpreters
which can never be thoroughly salts
factory.
1t is only reasonable to assume that
we shall do more and more business
each year with Latin-America. The
acquisition of the Philippines and
Porto Rico by the United States, the
severance Of Cuba from Spain, the
growing Importance Of Mexico, the
Opening of the Panama canal, the late
acquisition of the Dutch West Indies.
renamed Virgin islands by Uncle Sam,
and the increasing industrial and COM
mercial activities in the Central and
South American countries, on account
of the great war disturbances in
Europe-all tend to make knowledge
Of the Spanish language a business
necessity.
The Spanish language is being tax
en- up In our schools, now. In our own
local public high school they expect
to teach 1t next year, and doubtless
we shall have it in st. Peters. For
some years past we have had teach
er in our public schools capable OF
teaching Spanish and it is a pity that
we have failed to avail ourselves of
the opportunity to learn something OF
that language.
The City National bank Of New
York City Ito show you more plain
ly how necessary some OF our largest
industries consider q knowledge OF
SPANISH, requires every one of Its
employees to learn this language, fur
|nishes them with teachers, books, ETC.,
and In the banks cafeteria none but
Spanish-speaking walters are employ
ed. Pick up the daily papers and one
will generally find an advertisement
for stenographer, salesman, ETC.,
with knowledge OF the Spanish
Language" So 1t is plain to be seen
that persons knowing how to read,
write and speak Spanish. even. un po-
leo" Ca little), are going to have an
advantage over those not SO qualified.
G. G.
Keokuk, Iowa, July 20, 1917.