Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-18
By JOSEPH A. FOX.

UIETLY and without ostenta-
hi ton. the Coolidge admins
tration has launched an
~ other movement to On.
courage world amity, and,
incidentally, get some new ideas on
territorial policies, the last hours Of
Congress having witnessed the final
steps In legislation for the summon
Ing Of q pan.Pacifc conference on
education, rehabilitation, reclamation
and recreation at Honolulu, next
Spring.
The matter Is one that has been
hanging fire for months, the Initial
plan to hold the gathering this year
being abandoned when 1t was decided
that more time was needed to make
the necessary arrangements. With
the last obstacle removed, however,
when President Coolidge signed the
joint resolution authorizing the con.
ference, on his trip to the Capitol just
before Congress adjourned, arrange
ments now can 80 forward for sum-
moning representatives OF the PACING
countries to Hawaii next April or
May, the tentative dates chosen Tor
tual problems.
Work Originated Plan.
The idea of such meeting had its
inception about year ago, Secretary
Of the Interior Work, who will be In
charge of the preliminaries, broach'
ing the subject to President Coolidge.
After series of conferences with w
r. harrington, governor Of Hawaii
and John J.. Tigert, commissioner OF
education, Secretary Work decided
this Spring that the time was ripe to
act, and upon communicating mis-
views to President Coolidge was adj
vised that the executive favored the
movement and would approve an ap'
preparation Of $4,000 necessary ia
care for the expenses OF the United
States in this project.
At the instance OF the Secretary Of
the Interiors office, the needed legis'
lation then was introduced by senator
Hiram Bingham, Republican, OF Con
necticut, a member OF the Senate
committee on territories and insular
possessions, who is q close student OF
Hawaiian affairs-that. by the way,
having been the land Of his birth--ano
day or so before Congress went
home passage was completed.
In writing to Senator Bingham.
while the resolution was pending
Gov. Harrington, who heartily Is
behind the project, declared that in
his opinion the conference viii be
zone Of the most important and enec.
tive international assemblies that has
ever been held In the great Pacific
area"
Great Benefits Expected.
II was the Hawaiian governor, too,
who in the letter brought out the
actuating motives for the assembly
when he said tI am sure that the
people Of our country will enjoy very
marked benefits from this conference
and 1t will go far toward emphasizing
the fact that the United States is
interested at all times In cooperating
with its neighbours of the Pacific area
in the promotion Of peaceful arts and
pursuits"
Amplifying his views. Gov. Earring
ton said:
.TIonolulu has been the center Of
a number Of conferences, scientific
educational and commercial. held dur
| ing recent years, under private aus
pices. Each OF these conferences has
brought into contact Representatives
from nearly all of the countries Of
AASs~
been rendered the cause Of better un
Outstanding through exchange OF
ideas on common problems. A con
ference called by the Secretary of the
Interior would Immediately enlist the
unhesitating interest Of the officials
and leading authorities in the princi
pal countries OF the Pacific, thereby
bringing together for conference the
outstanding leaders engaged In the
activities mentioned.
Education Is Stressed.
.Education naturally holds first pc.
sition because facility Of speech and
uniformity of educational methods
must have first place in the promo
ton Of understanding between peo.
pies OF varying race and language.
Education plays an important part in
fostering friendly associations result.
ing from extension Of trade and trans
portation. 1t is contemplated that
special attention should be devoted to
vocational education, so that ideas OBJ.
tanned from the representatives Of
various countries may be made use
Of for development at home.
Hawaii has always been recog-
nized as an interesting laboratory
where the influence Of education and
friendly race associations have been
evidenced under most favorable cir
cumstances.
Rehabilitation and reclamation
comprehend the efforts that are being
made in nearly every country border
ing on the Pacific to attract those
qualified to occupy agricultural lands.
and through cooperation Of the gov
eminent agencies make available for
cultivation land areas hitherto re-
garded as waste. Australia, New
Zealand. Canada, some OF the South
American countries, Japan and China
have departments Of government en-.
gagged in working out this problem.
Hawaii has within its borders inter-