The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-04-03
Our Relations With Latin America

President Hoover has added an important chapter K
the history Of the ~Pan-American Union by his recent
proclamation designating April II as Pan American Day
The organization was established 30 years ago but this
Is the first time the occasion will be officially celebrated
The rapid development Of this Union in recent years
runs parallel with the achievements of science in the
humiliation of time and distance. We no longer reckon
distance by miles, but by minutes. We can reach any
South American state In q few moments by cable, in q
few hours by airplane, and in less than a week by rail
and water.
Our commercial relations with Latin America have
been vastly improved and diplomacy in both Americas
has set itself the task Of overcoming the spirit Of hatred
and disrust which has been handed down through sew
eral generations Of political bungling on both sides.
The governing board Of the Union
consists OF diplomatic representatives from the "a coun-
tries that have joined, and the secretary Of state OF the
United States, who presides as chairman. The avowed
purpose of the organization is to deYelop commerce and
trade. social intercourse and good understanding, and to
foster friendship and peace.
The governments included in the Union are the fol-
lowing:
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia,
Costa RIGA, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France,
Great Britain, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico,
Netherlands, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Ell
Salvador, United States, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Visitors to Washington should not fail to see the adj
ministration building of the Pan-American Union, which
has been described by a French architect as combining
beauty Of architecture, nobility of expression and prac-
tical usefulness more than any other official structure In
America" It has sometimes been described as the
capitol Of the western hemisphere in the capital of the
United States.
In order that authentic information may be spread
concerning these countries, and to make them better
acquainted with each other, bulletins and pamphlets are
being regularly printed In English, Spanish, Portuguese
and French. More than a million such pamphlets have
been distributed each year to persons who have written
for information. The commerce between the United
States and the ~atin-American countries amounted to
about $500 100000 in 1907, but has nearly quadrupled
since that time.
A recent letter written to the Pan-American Union
by Carlos G. Davila, the Chilean ambassador. indicates
that the EZRA of better feeling" between these countries
and the United States is we'll on the way. The letter
follows:
THE notable development of the political and
economic bonds between the United States and
the Latin Republics of America constitute one
Of the most outstanding pages of the interna-
tional life of our times. But what most surprises
the something more than superficial observer Is
how these relations between governments, which
have agreed upon an almost perfect pact of
Cancellation and arbitration, and the ties of COM
mercial interests, which are now as vital to our
countries as to the United States. grew and were
strengthened in the midst of an Incompetent
sible spiritual and cultural chasnn, Of an almost
total mutual lack Of knowledge OF our noblest
activities. From this springs the first task Of
those who believe in the possibility and convent
ence Of a consistent solidarity between the ma
tons Of this hemisphere. The work in this diTec-
ton being accomplished by the Geographic and
Historical society Of the Americas and the Pam
American Magazine calls for all my sympathy
and for their directors my sincerest congratula-
tions."
E%. &&@A- t>E -% r. 80 "