The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-01-19
The Pan-American Conference
"Opens at Washington.
Welcomed by Sick-Bed~ Letter
From President Wilson,,
CONSIDER FINANCIAL PROBl EMS
Secretary of Treasury Glass
Presides Over Sessions.
TweHty-0 One Republics Set Ex-
ample to World-WiIson.

Washington Jan. f9.-Marked by
the presence of the leading financiers
and~.business men of the twenty-one
republics of the western hemisphere
the second Pan-American financial
conference opened here today for the
consideration of international prob
lens arising from the return of peace.
President Wilson from his sick room
sent a message of greeting to the min
listers of finance, and other prominent
visitors, declaring that -Pan-America
sought no selfish purpose in assisting
world reconstruction and would re-
gard it as a privilege to fulfill the OBJ
legations imposed by the great advaf1-
tages enjoyed by the people of these
republics. Secretary Lansing brought
out the same idea in addressing the
delegates, when he said the Am ericas
accepted the burdens thrust upon the
new world by the war and would
press forward confidently to the bet
ter days of the future.
Secretary Glass Presides.
Welcoming the visitors to the build
ing of the Pan-American union, where
the general sessions are being held,
John Barrett, director general, spoke
OF the unions moral influence in pre-
serving peace and building up COM
merce. Secretary Glass, president
general of the conference, occupied
the chair at the opening session. which
was followed by an informal luncheon
given by the federal reserve board and
the United States section of the inter-
national high commission. This aftef-
noon the group committees from each
country met to organize.
President Wilson's message, read at
the opening session, follows:
Gentlemen of the Americas
II regret more deeply than I can
well express that the condition of my
health deprives me of the pleasure and
N Of
sonally expressing the qualification
which every officer of this government
feels because of your presence at the
national capital and particularly be-
cause Of the friendly and signiffcan mt
mission which brings you to us.
Selfishness Eliminated.
q rejoice with you that in these
troubled times of world reconstruc-
ton the republics of the American
continent should seek no selfish pur-
pose but should be guided by a desire
| to serve one another and to serve the
world to the utmost of their capacity,
| The great privileges. that have been
showered upon 7us, both by reason OF
| our geogra phical position and because
| of the high political and social ideals
that have determined the national de-
velopment of every country of the
| American continent carry with them
obligations the fulfillment of, which
must be regarded as a real privilege
| by every true American.
| TT is no small achievement that the
Americas are today able to say to the
| world:
=" Here is an important section OF
| the globe which has today eliminated
| the ideas. of conquest from its national
thought and from its international
policy
1.-The spirit of mutual heIpfulness
! which animates the conference sup
plements and strengthens this impor-
| tant achievement of international pol
| icy, 1 rejoice with you that we are
| privileged to assemble with the sole
purpose of ascertaining how we can
serve one another. for in SO doing we
| best serve the world.
| (Signed)
| seWoODROW W.T. SON"