The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1921-08-18
REGARD OF PERUVIANS
INSPIRES AMERICAN

The following letter was receive
last week by the Glacier from Harr
l.. Cash, son of Mr.. and Mrs. j. r
Cash, who is now member of an edu
cation commission to Peru, called ther
to reconstruct the public schools sys
tenn. Mr.. Cash. whose letter wa
written July 4th, is stationed a
Cajamarca, Peru
For some time have been intending
to take advantage of your kind invita-
tion to write after having reached
Peru. But as in all countries on,
doesn't always do the things he in
tends. However, feel that have
real occasion to write this evening
since the events of the day have made
me especially glad that am an Amer
lean and that as a nation we hold sucl
high place in the regard of Peru.
For the first time in my life | have
spent a Fourth from under the Ameri
can Flag and away from all other
Americans. 1t is true that the Fourths
spent in the Philippines were very
different from those at home but still
they were holidays and the Flag was
in sight.
AS it happened the other two Amer
leans, who make up the part of the
American Educational Mission assigned
to the Northern Region Of Peru, are
away at this time. One having left
last week for another station, fifteen
days horseback ride from here, while
the Regional Director was called to
Lima for a conference few days ago.
The prospect of being alone and put
ting in nine hours in the class room,
on the athletic field, and in the office
on this day didn't appeal particularly
strong. However, the latter part of
last week | heard what sounded very
much like the Star Spangled Banner
being practiced in. the Colegio and yes
terday received notice that there would
be an assembly in the Colegio this
morning in honor of Our Day.
The military in school life is empha-
sized here in the colleges and as the
faculty marched in the boys all stood
at attention. At the front Of the hall
stood the American and Peruvian Flags
in the place of honor while grouped
around the walls were the flags of all
the South American Republics. A
group of students sang one stanza of
the Star Spangled Banner and while
their pronunciation of the English
words was barely understandable and
the music rather off, yet we have all
heard many English speaking singers
whose words were unintelligible and
the average American audience doesn't
do itself very proud when it comes to
singing our national song.
Several speeches followed The first
by the Director of the Colegio in
which he gave an excellent review of
our history and paid tribute to our
great men. OF course this was all in
Spanish and given by Peruvians. Not
to be outdone by them, having attended
some of their programs and knowing
about what to expect, had written
a short reply of thanks and apprecia-
tion and the chief clerk Of our office
gave it for me in Spanish for although
| can now understand most of what
hear yet haven't reached a point, nor
do expect to for some time, where
will attempt to crate in their tongue.
In closing, several "Vivas" were
given for the u. S. A. to which | re-
piled by leading them in similar
''Vivas" for Peru. Then the faculty
adjourned to the Directors quarters
where toasts were given in our honor.
AS it was almost noon, the director de-
cided to declare holiday for the re-
of the session.
went to the Regional office where
the office force had eats ready and
later took tea at the home of fam
lily who are very pro-American. One
IF the men who spent year at Cornell |
.ook a great liking to things American |
and seems to have communicated the |
spirit to the entire family. In addition
received greetings on every hand in |
honor of the day. So take it all in all |
t has been a great day and goes to |
how that the spirit of friendliness
lown here towards Americans is gen.
,ral and real.
Now that | have that off my chest.
will try to give you an idea of what
We are attempting down here and
omethIng of my Impressions of the
ountry. You will remember that in
eaving Hood River | had very little
dea of the exact nature of our work
xcept that the Peruvian government
ad passed reorganization act and
hat we were coming down here to
elp put it across.
The Mission, as it is called down
ere, consists of "a men from various
arts of the States who with one or
wo exceptions have had varied ex-
erience in educational work. At least
dozen having seen service in the
some in high positions.
The organization consists of a di-
ector general, directors of courses and
libraries and museums,
tudent center, industries, superior
chOol of pedagogy, superior school of
all of whom are in Lima.
hree regional directors, north, center
nd south, and the remainder Of US
,ho are scattered over the countries in
ne various Colegios, of which there
one in each department. The Co
'gios have a standing in the commun-
y Of our colleges but academically
ley are hardly up TO our high schools
We arrived in Lima February 2l
fter an interesting week in New York
nd the trip through the Canal. There
much of interest in Lima. Built by
izarra. the Spanish conqueror, there
re still many reminders of Spanish
ays. The language, customs, and
uch of the architecture-oh yes. the
)od, decidedly the food-are Spanish
ith, of course. the mixture resulting
'om the contact with the lncas. The
niversity of San Marcos is the Oldest
the western hemisphere and the
'thedral which contains the body of
Izarra is well worth seeing There is
uch Of the modern in the shops,
-ess, expensive cars, bathing beaches
I'd suchlike.
Transportation in Peru is very diff
lit. Those of US coming to the :
orthern Region were unable to get
way until the l4th Of April. We 4
me north two days by boat then one
~ inland by train "a train to which
e passenger service Of the Mt Hood
lmpany at its worst could not com
ar.rInnsaa L. The .nrrnr.nrr.l nr,a II