Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-14
Member o. the Associated Press.
pan.American DaY.


Forty-one years ago today, under the
inspiring leadership Of President Harri-
son and Secretary Of State James G..
Blaine, the first Pan-American Confer
ence, meeting In Washington, adopted
a resolution creating the Pan-American
Union. By proclamation of President
Hoover, April II is designated as PAN
American day" It Is being commen1o-
rated as such for the first time this
day.
In recurring years, as other an1iver-
oaries come along, Pan-American day
win be celebrated as an appropriate re-
ninder-in Mr.. Hoover's words-"of the
spirit Of continental solidarity and Of
the sentiments of cordially and friendly
feeling which the Government and peo-
ple Of the United States entertain to-
ward the peoples and governments OF
the other republics of the American
continent" With full fitness, the Presi-
dent includes in his proclamation an
Invitation to the schools Of the country
70 participate In marking the day. It
win be for the children Of today, the
American citizens Of tomorrow, to solid
afy the ties which unite the twenty-one
Americas.
The institution Of Pan-American day
q not the exclusive act of the United
states. It Is born Of resolution passed
by the governing board Of the Pan
American Union on May Z, 1880. That
resolution recites in meaningful terms
the significance Of the anniversary-the
more significant because the governors
of the Union are the spokesman at
washington Of Central and South Amer
lea, as well 90 OF North America. They
resolved TO establish Pan-American day
cas- q commemorative symbol Of the
sovereignty Of the American nations
and the voluntary union Of all In one
continental community"
Let doubters Of the indissoluble one
ness Of atm and purpose inherent in the
republics Of the Western Hemisphere
ponder wen the words of this resolution.
It stresses the sovereignty" Of the
American republics. II emphasizes the
voluntary union they form. It points
20 the continental unity they person.
1fy. Pan.Arnericanism, initiated as an
aspiration, has developed since 1880
into 9 political fact which excites the
legitimate envy Of nations overseas.
Europe even now Is cropping toward .
unity which Is on the threshold Of .
lnalf-century Of successful existence on
this side Of the Atlantic.
The hour Is appropriate for intro
gpection with regard 70 our policy" and
ssattttude" toward Latin America. Uncle
Sans conscience Is clear, though the
record Of our relations with the other
Americas Is not flawlesA Re have not
always contxiyed to strike Ghe right note
In them. This Government Nud people
Mt least cherish toward our twanky sis
ter republics naught but feelings Of un-
Belfish fraternity. We covet no inch Of
their territory. We are as jealous Of
their independence Is they themselves
can possibly be. We would fight to pre-
serve It II It should ever be threatened
from any non-American quarter or In
the remote event that Latin American
efforts alone were inadequate to thwart
the invader.
In the last analysis, that Is the Alpha
and Omega Of Monroeism. Whatever
critics Of the doctrine here, In Latin
America or elsewhere may say. 1t is not
1T never has been--a cloak for 'im-
perialism." The people Of the United
States would resent such an tnterpreta-
ton Of the Monroe Doctrine as rightly
and as resoiutely IS any Latin republic
would.
: The United States pan-American
,'policy'' Is that Of the governors Of the
Pan-American Union--to see to it that
by every means In our inexhaustible
power sovereignty Of the American
nations" Is maintained against all COM
ers. To the preservation Of the zone
continental community they typify, the
honor and the hearts Of our Govern
ment and people are pledged. The Co
lossus Of tbs North looks to the South
only with eyes Of good win and PAN
American solidarity.
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