The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-01-20
TWENTY ONE NATIONS MEET
Leading Business Men OF Pam
American Republics in Ses-
sion at Washington.
WILSON SENDS MESSAGE
Delegates viii Discuss Problems
of reconstruction and
Friendly Relations.

Washington, Jan. i9.-ATarked by the
presence of the leading financiers and
business men of the twenty one re-
publics Of the Western Hemisphere the
second Pan-American financial confer
ence opened here today for the con-
sidera.tion Of international problems
arising from the return of peace.
a. President Wilson sent message OF
greeting to the ministers of finance
and other prominent visitors. declaring
Pan-America sought no selfish purpose
i'm assisting world reconstruction and
would regard it as a privilege to. fuI-
. fiji the obligations imposed by the
great advantage enjoyed by the people
Of these republics Secretary Lansing
brought out the same idea in address
ing tile delegates when he said the
Americans accepted the burdens thrust
upon the new world by the war and
would press forward confidently to the
better days Of the future.
Welcoming the visitors to the build
ing of the Pan-American union, where
the general sessio onS are being held,
John Barrett, rector general, spoke
Of the unions m oral influence in pre-
serving peace ard building up con
merce.
Secretary Glass. president general
Of the conference, occupied the chair
at the opening session, which was fol-
lowed by an informal luncheon given
by the federal reserve board and the
United States section of the interna.-
Honal high commission. This after
noon the group committees from each
country met to organize and to meet
the financiers AMI business men Of this
country appointed to cooperate with
them.
Guided by a purpose to serve one
another and the world to the utmost.
the president sail in his message read
ct the opening session, real Americans
will regard as a privilege the fulfill
ment OF these obligations imposed by
the great advantages enjoyed by Pan
American nations which have given to
the world mo small achievement in
eliminating the i1ea Of conquest from
Aheir national thought. The presidents
message follows:
Gentlemen Of the Americas:
II regret moro deeply than can
sven express that the condition of my
health deprives me OF the pleasure and
privilege of meeting with you and per-
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 significant
mission which brings you to us.
II rejoice with you that in these
troubled times Of world reconstruction
the republics Of the American conti-
nent should seek no selfish purpose,
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 us. both by reason of
our geographical position and because
az 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 real privilege
by every true American.
s'It is no small achievement that the
Americans arc today able to say to the
world here is an important section Of
the globe which has today eliminated
the idea OF conquest from its national
thought and from its international
policy
"The spirit Of mutual helpfulness
which anlmates this conference sup
plements and STRENGTHENS this import
ant achievement Of international poll
icy 7 rejoice With you that we arc
privileged to asse nble with the sole
purpose OF ascer aiming how we can
serve one another, for in so doing we
best serve the world
(Signed) ''WO0DROw WILSON"
vSecretary Glass after reading Presi-
dent Wilson's message. welcomed the
delegates to the conference. which he
said was destined to be fruitful of i'm
nortant results in the interchange of
information between the officials and
fipanciers Of the two continents He
declared ii was more and more neces-
sarv that those I'm high places should
know one another. since the policies
ar one nation yitally bear on those Of
another.
The world is suffering from a greater
uncertainty now t'lan in centuries.r he
said Mankind is showing signs OF
neurosis which may presage the break
down of governments unless all think
their differences for the common
good"
Secretary Lansing then welcomed the
delegates on behalf OF the American
government.
William Jennings Bryan was one or
the early arrivals at the conference. re-
ceiving cordial welcome from dipIo-
mats whom he has met in the course
Of negotiating arbitration treaties with
their countries when he was secretary
OF state. He said he would not make a
speech.
Responding to the presidents mes
sage Of welcome, the Latin American
DELEGATES expressed confidence that the
conference would he productive Of tan
Cible results
VIZ A TEDNT AxTcJ D"r