Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1921-12-15

States manufacturers to increase
trade relations. His article will be
found intensely interesting and great.
~ illuminating.
The dream of the civilized peoples
Of the world since history recorded
civilization has been and is being ac-
compfshed today on the Western
Continent.
international disputes are being
settled before thir activities have
more than been born. Hatreds are
smothered in the cradle. Injustice is
an unknown quantity. The sword has
indeed been beaten into plow share
and this in the face of the cry, "There
will always be war"
While the great nations of the
world view with suspicion even the
suggestions of peace overtures that
shall last forever, view with distrust
the hopes of universal disarmament
cling to the weapons of war with one
hand while touching the olive branch
with the other, there is before them
an example of international co-opera-
tion, of international helpfulness, of
misunderstanding smoothed away a.
cross table that has been going on
for years and with each year seeing
a more complete understanding and
a closer drawing together of the ma
tions thus affected.
Peace and Prosperity
While the great nations of the
earth shout of their civilization and
their desire for brotherhood and go
on with the. ever-increasing program
of ships and guns, the 'Pan American
Union" goes on its way, bringing
peace and prosperity to its member
ship and growing trust and confidence
in its decisions.
Throughout the world, the masses
of the people are passing through
period of disillusionment and disap-
pointment. The high hopes enter
tanned Immediately subsequent to the
Great War, that the world was enter
ing upon new era of international
goodwill and cooperation have been
sadly shattered. Enthusiasm has
given way to moral lassitude and Gym
icism. The resurgence of selfish ma
tionalistic and even impefialistic am
bition an the part of the peoples of
Europe has developed an atmosphere
of pessimism with reference to the
future of Western civilization.
The bitter experience of the last
few years has served to undermine
many accepted and hitherto unques-
toned beliefs relative to international
affairs. There is a growing feeling
that the ruthless international COM
petition, which has characterized
world relations during the last cent
ury, has not produced the results
which were anticipated. Even those
countries that seemed to gain the
greatest advantage from this COM
petitive system have often found
those advantages hollow and of little
permanent value. With this increas-
ing doubt as to the efficiency of inter-
national competition, there is grow
ing a feeling that the welfare of the
masses of the people in all countries
can best be guaranteed through pol
icy of international cooperation ra-
ther than competition.
First Conference
Since the first Pan American Con-
ference, held in 1889, under the states
manlike leadership of James G..
Blaine. there has been worked out a
policy of international cooperation
and mutual helpfulness amongst the
Republics of the American Continent
which may we'll serve as an example
and inspiration to the nations of the
world. For period of over thirty
years, the diplomatic representatives
of the American Republics have beer
meeting each month, presided over by
the Secretary of State of the United
States, to discuss matters of common
interest and concern. Through sucl
interchange of thought and opinion
there has been created an atmospher.
of mutual trust and confidence which
has served to solve amicably ant
through the reasonable and orderl,
processes of discussion, a large mum
bef of problems which might other
wise have become the source of inter
national irritation.
Even more significant than tn
peaceful settlement of pending inter
national problems is the spirit of mu
tual helpfulness which has found an
which still finds expression in the Pa