Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-16

the ideals of our Western World. That
is our obligation. No one else can
discharge 1t for us. II 1t Is to be met.
we must meet It ourselves. We must
join together In assuring conditions
under which our republics Will have
the freedom and the responsibility OF
working out their own destiny In their
own way.
Conferences Successful.
The proceedings of the successive
Pan American Conferences reveal a
record of achievement which, without
attempting the spectacular. constantly
builds on the solid foundation of the
Immediately attainable. With each
succeeding conference the agreements
for the orderly settlement of such
differences as may arise between the
American republics have been extended
and strengthened. thus making their
relationship more certain and more
secure. Each conference has contrib
uted its share toward developing more
intimate cultural ties among the ma
lions OF this hemisphere. and establish
ing new currents of mutual under
standing, Obstacles to closer economic
relations have been removed. thus clear
ing the pathways Of commercial inter-
course.
OF scarcely less Importance have been
the many special conferences which
from time to time have assembled
for the purpose of dealing with the
more technical questions in the rela-
tons between the republics Of America.
The meetings of the International
can Highway Conferences. the Child
Wo1foro Tny,forannac thu 70 Nv,
Conferences. the Conference on Con-
sular Procedure. the Scientific Con-
crosses, the Financial Conferences, the
Red Cross Conferences, and the highly
important and significant Congress Of
Journalists have all served to strength
en- that spirit of pan-American solidar-
ity which. in the last analysis. repre-
sentS one of the greatest achievements
Of our American civilization and one
which. in the future. is destined to
play so important part in the full
fillment of the high mission intrusted
to the republics of this hemisphere
1t has been most gratifying to wit
ness the increasing interchange OF uni
versity professors and the constantly
growing stream of student migration
from one country to another. No other
influence can be more potent and effec-
tive in promoting mutual comprehen-
sion Of national aims and ideals. It Is
sincerely to be hoped that this cultural
interchange will with each year assume
larger proportions.
1t Is not desirable that We should
attempt to be all alike. Progress is not
secured through uniformity and SIM
ilarity. but rather through multiplicity
and diversity. We should all be intent
on maintaining our own institutions
and customs, preserving the purity OF
our own language and literature, foster
ing the ideals OF our own culture and
society. In territory reaching from
the north temperate zone through the
room enough for every worthy activity
which is profitable and every ideal
which Is good Our geographical loca-
ton. as well as our political ideals. has
endowed us with a self-contained unity
and independence. Instead OF con-
sidering our variations as an obstacle
We ought to realize that they are a
contribution to harmonious political and
economic relations.
Press Must Play Part.
In this great work OF furtherlng
inter-American understanding a large
responsibility rests upon the press oil
all countries. In our present stage OF
civilization, knowledge OF foreign people
Is almost wholly supplied from that
source BY misinterpreting facts, or By
carelessness in presenting them in their
true light. much damage can be done
While great progress has been made
toward the publication of fuller infor-
nation and unbiased views. a better
exchange OF news service would do
much to promote mutual knowledge
and understanding. What happens In
this hemisphere Is OF more vital interes,
10 all OF us than what happens across
any OF the oceans.
An increase OF information depends
largely on an increase In the means OF
communication. During the entire
nineteenth century intercourse between
the American republics was exceedingly
difficult, and this isolation proved a
serious obstacle TO closer understanding
The twentieth century, however. and
especially the last ten years have wit
messed astonishing changes In this re-
spect. Transportation by water has
become rapid, comfortable and rela-
lively inexpensive. Shipping facilities
from the United States have been large
" improved Our Government Is greatly
interested IN increasing their efficiency
Railway lines have been extended sc
chat 1t will soon be possible 10 travel
with practically no interruption from
the northern border OF the United
States 10 the southern border OF FL
Salvador. and In South America from
Peru 10 Patagonia. During very recent
years every government OF this hemi-
sphere has been giving special attention
10 the building OF highways. partly with
n view TO establishing feeders TO the
railway lines. but also to provide great
arteries of inter American communica-
ton for motor transport. On the wall
of my Office hangs q map showing pro-
posed highways connecting the princi-
pal points OF our two continents.
am asking the United States Con-
gress to authorize sending engineering
advisers, the same as We send military
and naval advisers, when requested by
other countries. TO assist In road build.
ing These gratifying changes are about
to be supplemented by the establish
ment OF aviation routes. primarily fol-
the transportation OF mails. which will
AFFORD TO our republics a channel o1
interchange which will find its ultimate
expression In closer cultural and COM
merciai ties and In better mutual com,
prehension. Our Congress also has
under consideration proposals for sup.