The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1918-06-25

| Reproduced from the New York
American by Ell Heraldo, of New
York, and translated again into
English by Prof. G. Britain Lyttle. }
Mayor Hyland is just right in
lfavoring the teaching of Spanish in
the public schools of. the city. The
idea is wise and oppOrtune.
But not only in the city of New
York, but in all the public educa-
tional organizations of the country
should Spanish be diligently taught.
And in order to do so, beginning
should be made at once, and the
movement vigorously prosecuted to
install Spanish as an indispensable
course in all the educational systems
of the whole country. 1t is an incon-
1 trovertible fact that Spanish is spok-
en- predominantly as a National
Language, if not exclusively, in
ithree-fourths of the Western Hemis-
phere in which we live, and not only
on the great continent of South
America, but also in Cuba, in the
Philippines, the West Indies and in
Mexico.
| "The great Republics of South
America since the completion of the
Panama Canal, are our nearest neigh
bors, and for many reasons those
with whom we have greatest relation
ship and business intercourse. AL
| though the three Americas have al
ways been united geographically, the
last few years have multiplied the
reasons for the establishment of mu-
tually helpful relationships for the
benefit of all, between all three, po-
litically, commercially and socially.
"And now that the bond of SYM
pathy created by the cataclysmic
struggle in which are being welded
by danger and by necessity our COM
mon humanity of liberty and indie
pendence has brought us closer to-
gether than ever, we realize forcibly
our mutual dependence upon each
other for good.
1.-THE European war has made of
the three Americas single entity
in their sentiments and commerce.
Their commercial relations, of them
selves important, will become yet
stronger in future, on account of the
natural interests of all these cOun-
tries. But better than that, has
been the fact that the high ideals
and the splendid lack of egotism with
which our country has thrown her
self into and is battling in the war.
has removed entirely the apprehen-
sion and distrust with which the
countries of the South were wont to
regard the North. In the future, the
South American countries can enter
tain no misgivings Of any idea of ag
gresSion or commercial or territorial
ambition on the part Of the United
States toward them. 1t is already
written that, as a result of the world,
war, the three Americas shall live
more united and more cordial in
every sense than they have done in
the past. In consequence, it is nee
essary in all respects, whether from
business, social or political considera-
lions, that these two languages,
English and Spanish, should be learn
ed reciprocally among all the Amer
lean countries in order that there
may be free exchange of ideas and
social intercourse sustained by the
power of conversation whenever or
wherever eXpedient. In the Spanish
American countries they are studying
English. 1t would therefore appear
impolite and discourteous for us not
to meet them halfway with our vo-
cabularies united and bound together
by cordial cooperation.
"The Mayor of New York will en-
ploy his increasing executive inf1u-
ence and his authority for the
prompt introduction of Spanish into
the metropolitan public schools. Mr..
Hyland could not begin any too soon.
The notice in the Spanish-American
countries, that New York, the metro
polls and the Empire State of the
Union, has formally adopted Spanish
as an integral feature of the course
of study of it's educational institu-
tions, will evoke response cordial in
sentiment and action throughout
those generous and impulsive coun-
tries of the South, and the Union
of Tongues shall have progressed
sufficiently by the end of the war, to
become the precursor of logical
union of friendship and business in
terests among the American Repub-
lies, for all future time, it is be-
lieved.
"In the introduction of the Span
ish language in the schools of New
York as preliminary to it's general es-
tablishment in the organism of the
educational system of the whole
country, there is a touch of true
craftsmanship. This should have
been thought of before. Undoubted-
ly it is now opportune. And let there
he no unnecessary delay in putting