Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-12

sphere, spoke for the first time In 1925
OF the pan American ideal, in an inter-
national assembly in Panama, no one in
Latin America thought of mysterious
designs. Of evil intentions, of imperial
istic ambitions hidden behind the name
OF pan Americanism. Nobody thought
then OF any Of the nations on this con-
tinent using the pan-American scheme
for turthering their own interests to the
detriment of others.
Years later, however, when the states
men OF this country rescued the pan
American idea from oblivion and I'M
dertook to carry it out and make it q
reality, the lack of understanding of the
purposes Of Uncle Sam" resulted in a
sentiment Of fear and suspicion on the
part Of the Latin republics Thus, at
the very outset, ever since Secretary of
State Blaine proposed the first CONT
mental Congress, pam American moves
were regarded by the Latin Americans
with q certain amount Of misgiving.
They were afraid of the enormous dis
proportion In potential resources and
economic strength between the "Colos-
sus Of the North" and the still unor-
ganized republics of the South. They
could not understand the enthusiasm Of
the United States for pan-AmericaniSm
except on the suppoSition that it yelled
designs on her part for obtaining polit-
ical domination, or at least financial
control. over the rest of the continent.
This was the origin of the Yankee i'm
perialism" legend, one which has great
ly impaired Uncle Sans prestige in
Latin America, and in the spreading of
which certain interested propaganda of
jealous parties Is said to have played an
important. role.
CHANGE ACCOMPLISHED.
This misunderstanding, consequence
OF the complete and mutual lack OF
knowledge which has been character
istic of inter-American relations, was
helped along, now and then. by some
political mistakes of this country in the
Caribbean region, and by certain COM
plications OF an economic nature for
which the Union as whole should not
be held responsible.
In late years, it is true, a great
change has been brought about in this
regard, and the Latin Americans seem
to be turning at last to a fairer inter
probation of Uncle Sans aims, but
there still remains lot to be done be-
fore the path is entirely cleared away,
Six continental conferences have been
held since the Pan-American Union was
founded on April IA, 1890. The first
five were of a decidedly political char
acter and therefore did not stress SUM-
GENTLY the Importance of explaining
misapprehensions and differences, both
psychological and economic, which are
really at the bottom of all misunder-
standings. This was finally realized by
the Sixth Conference, gathered in
Havana In 1923, which, side-stepping
controversial issues, devoted most of its
time to the preparation of a series of
special all-American conferences on
technical material and intellectual sub
lects.
Such conferences, dealing with high
ways railroads, commerce, agriculture
public health, sanitation, child welfare,
women's rights, scientific problems, Gus
toms regulations, educational affairs,
intellectual cooperation, international
law and arbitration in the American
continent, have been taking place from
time to time in the last three years.
EndeavoFing to solve practical prob
lens Of inter American relations and
to promote q greater mutual knowledge
among the peoples of Saxon and Latin
origin, their contribution to the pan
American cause will certainly be of
larger advantage than the endless,
irritating discussion of political differ
ences which has heretofore prevented
greater harmony.
SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED.
Particularly those conferences deal
ing with educational and cultural mat
tiers should be frankly encouraged.
They can afford the only real basis for
an actual understanding, for they en-
deavor to remove that mutual lack of
knowledge which is the chief source of
all misinterpretation and antagonism
Peoples who do not know each other
cannot understard each other.
1t Is the same with nations as with
individuals; mere superficial &C
quaintance cannot form the basis of
deep and sincere friendship. Intimate
knowledge and, above all, a spiritual
communism of ideals is necessary for
true friendship.
The success of pan-Americanism de-
pends entirely upon the better cultural