Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-12


popular saying that, From dis
cuSsion arises the light" the
j. officers of the University Of
Virginia devote two weeks every
Pear to a round-table discussion OF, pub
He and international problems of timely
Significance.
There still may be some doubt as t.
Che practical benefits of international
debates, but the truth remains that
nothing is of more effective aid to the
promotion of understanding among
nations than these unofficial meetings
in which public men and representa-
GiveS from different countries get to-
gether and freely express their thoughts
Here Is a chance to hear both sides
OF the story and to form a judgment
Tar mere comprehensive than the one
We get from one-sided newspaper re-
ports or from isolated and often selfishly
inspired pieces of propaganda. Here i
an absolutely free discussion deprived
of all official protocols and limitations
The international conferences which
take place from time to time in the
capita's of the different American re-
publicS are not in the same 3dvan-
tageoUs position to deliberate. They
are embarrassed and CONSTRUCTED by
their own official character. Political
considerations and diplomatic con-
entirely. certain things which can only
be said in an unofficial meeting Of indie
pendent speakers.
Discussion Kept Open.
This is just what these open forum
institutes maintained by American uni
$ersitieS are. Groups of free men gath
cred to discuss freely their common
problems. Hence their intrinsic value.
nFoN0 dicot1CSinT1 d fhn Oh RI
Understanding. And understanding. no
matter whence it comes, is the first step
IN the promotion of good will and solid
$r1endship among peoples of different
characteristics and different points of
view.
For the last five years the Institute
OF Public Affairs of the University Of
Virginia has been giving men promi-
nent in political. diplomatic and edu-
cational circles an opportunity to get
together and exchange the most varied
opinions on the outstanding contro-
Nerstal issues Of the day.
One of the departments of this in
Stitute. designated Our Latin Ameri-
can Relations" is devoted to the
study of inter American problems, polit-
zeal and economic conditions on the
other side of the Rio Grande, and the
general trend of pan-Americanism.
voted to the study of law enforcement,
municipal administration Southern agri-
culture, religious education, regionalism,
etc, also are concerned with preSent-day
topics of national Importance, 1t is the
discussion of inter-American relations
that has commanded every year the
greatest attention and may. in way,
be held responsible for the prestige
that the institute enjoys today. not
,l1y ~, I,Ee ,tYry Nt1f iv.f k1A -
the Continent, where its sessions are
reported and commented widely upon
by the press.
Noted Speakers Heard.
Some high Government officials of
the United States, Latin American Am
baSsadors, Ministers and diplomats. we'll
known professors and lecturers of
American universities and number of
other prominent people interested in
the development of inter-American rela-
tons have been participating every
year in these discussions.
Last year the formidable" confer
ences on "our Latin American rela-
tons" were especially enhanced by the
presence Of two Latin chiefs of mis-
sion-the Minister from Panama, DR..
Ricardo Alfaro. now President of that
republic, and the Minister from Guate-
mala, DR.. Adrian RecinoS: DR.. James
Brown Scott, one of the foremost au-
thorities in this country on interna-
tional law; DR.. Munro then chief of
the Latin American division of the
State Department, and distinguished
professors from the Universities of ILL
pois, Texas, Virginia, Mexico City and
elsewhere
Six paramount subjects were dis
&ussed in last years forum. They were:
Intervention in Haiti. Cuba and the
Rlatt amendment, oil legislation in CO.
Vbmbia, treaty relations with Panama,
Mexican immigration and the Monroe
spoctrine in reference to the League of
Nations. The last two were made par
eicularly interesting by the participa-
ton of the diplomatic representatives in
Washington from Panama and Guate-
knala who successfully presented the
Latin American point of view.
Yesterday the fifth annual session
d the Institute of Public Affairs closed
u the University of Virginia. For the
tast two weeks the newspapers have