Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-08-02

WASHINGTON, Aug. z.-Retire-
ent of John Barrett as director-gen-
eral of the Pan American Unien Sep
TENDER 1, will mark the passing for
a time. at least, Of one who has been
a principal figure In Central and
south American diplomacy In WASH
ington for almost fourteen years.
Fully as well known to the ENJOYS
and executives OF the nations repre-
sented in the Union Is DR.. Leo s.
/ Rowe, now chief of the Latin Amer
lean division of the state department,
who will succeed Mr.. Barrett as d.
rector, but the change will be notice
able for a time, as the Union never
has had a director other than Mr..
Barrett, and It was largely his inter-
est and capacity for organization
that brought 1t into being.
DIR. Rowe is particularly well fitted
for the position Of director, for dur
ing the war he was assistant secre-
tary of the treasury in charge of I'm
ances affecting Latin America, and
a little less than a year ago was
transferred to the state department
TO take charge of Latin American d.
plomacy there. Prior to entering the
government service he was professor
| o IDOllllCdl oCl6hlIU III lhC
of Pennsylvania. He has travelled
Extensively through the Americas
and speaks Spanish, Portuguese and
French more or less fiuently. In adj
dition to his other duties he is Sc
cretly Of the Inter-American high
commission formerly known as the
Inter-Allied high commission.
The Pan American Union. which
has become a very vital factor in the
commercial and diplomatic relation
of the twenty-one republics repre-
sented in its organization, dates back
thirty years. The FIRST Pan-Ameri-
can congress was held in Washing
ton in 1890. when James G.. Blame
was secretary of state. and THE IN
ternationaI Bureau of American Re-
nublIcs" grew out Of that~conference.
The bureau functioned interrait-
tently and a second congress was
held a few years later. BY 1905 the
need for closer liaison between the
American Republics was apparent
and MI. Barrett, hen minister TO
Columbia, and others were working
toward that end, SO in that year a
third was held in Rio de
Janeiro and the bureau was reorgan-
lied, At the fourth conference, held
in Buenos Aires in 1910. the name OF
the permanent organization was
changed to The Pan American
Union and steps were taken tol
establish suitable headquarters IN
Washington, with Mr.. Barrett as d.
reg Tbs Big white stone Pan-American
building near the monument
grounds. one OF the "show places" of
the national capital, has become a
rallying place for practically all the
peoples between the great lakes IN
North America and Terra del Fuego
at the tip of the southern continent.
Every nation represented, regardless
of size. has equal voice in its coun-
ellis. the governing body being made
IN of the ambassadors or ministers
OF each American republic represent
ed in Washington. The secretary OK
state of the United States is ex-ohcio
The Unions bulletin. which is a
fair sized magazine prepared IN ap-
proved magazine style. 10 printed IN
four and obtained widest
distribution. The library contains
10000 volumes of histories, de-
scriptions and reports affecting the
Americas, and q digest of n q laws
Of each republic. The building and1
grounds cost originally $~1,100,O00,l
the greater part of which was con-
tributed by the late Andrew carne-
gle. and the cost of a similar struct-
ure today would be twice thar
amount. rI
The building is particularly well
suited for social and diplomatic rune.
tons, and has been the scene OF
the most brilliant gatherings in
Washington. One of the most not
able since the war was the reception
rendered DR.. Pessoa, now president
Of Brazil, who with his wife and
daughter visited this country just be-
lore he took ONCE. Whenever a
statesman or distinguished citizen OF
OF the American republics visits
Washington, which is frequently, ne
is the guest of honor at some AFFAIR
at the Pan-American building, and
II has been facetiously remarked
that Mi. Barrett in the last ten years
has made more speeches than any
other man in the United States, not
excepting the most active members
OF congress.
The functions OF the Union are by
no means confined to the social neld
however. The gatherings of the sec
ond Pan American Financial Con-
gress in the big hall a few months
ago was the most significant meet
of American financiers n
trade experts ever held in Washing
ton, and though II was under the
direction of the Inter-American
Commission the influence of the
Union was manifest throughout.
The latest work of the Union has
been the establishment of a sum-
mer school OF Pan American and
Foreign Commerce, of which DIR.
Clarence ], owen is executive direc-
tor. This is to instruct young bust
ness men in the needs and practices
of foreign trade, particularly among
the Americas, and promises to be a
distinct success.
Since the cessation of hostilities
between the allies and Germany the
Pan American Union has found
much to do In reestablishing trade
conditions interrupted by the war.
The question of routing steamships
SO as to best serve inter-American
trade with the small number. of
bottoms available has been an i'm.
portant one. International credits.
better means of communication,
proper methods OF shipping fragile
or perishable goods, all have come
In for a large share of attention.
One result has beer that the United
States has been able to take owe al
large share of the South American
trade formerly held by Germany, to
the advantage of both this nation
and its new customer.