Evening star., 1932-04-10
BY GASTON NERVAL.

of the American nations and the
voluntary union of all in the con-
tinental community" 1t was on April
IA, AZ years ago. that the Pan American
Union was originally established.
Pan-American day was observed for
the first time last year throughout the
Western Hemisphere. In the United
States President Hoover isued spe-
cial proclamation calling upon the
schools civic associations. and the
people in general. to observe the occa-
sion with appropriate ceremonies
thereby giving expression to the
spirit of continental solidarity and 10
the sentiments of cordiality and
friendly feeling which the Government
and people of the United States enter
tanned toward the peoples and govern
ments of the other republics of the
American Continent"
Similar pronouncements were made
by the Chief Executives of the 20
American republics of Latin origin, and
official acts commemorated the day
from Santiago de Chile, the southern
most capital, to Washington.
Auspicious Circumstances.
This year Pan-American day will be
observed under even more auspiciouS
circumstances. A series of friendly steps
recently taken by the Government of
the United States-avowedly intended
to correct wrongs done by previous
administrations to the southern coun-
tries lying on the other side of the Rio
Grande - has given evidence of the
existence of a new Latin American
policy in the State Department.
Such steps have been repeatedly men
toned in these columns. So has the
good will which they have engendered
for Uncle Sam in Latin America. The
sentiment of distrust and fear which
was characteristic of the Latin Ameri-
can attitude toward the United States
is gradually giving way to a less pref
udiced and more sympathetic under
standing. This change, of course, is
but the reflection of a parallel eve
luton in the Saxon Americans at
titude toward his southern brother of
Spanish or Portuguese descent A
greater interest in, and more broad
minded appreciation of, Latin Ameri-
can politics and culture is replacing the
disdain prevalent yesterday in the mind
of the average citizen of the United
States for his materially less fortunate
neighbor to the south.
On the other hand, the worldwide
economic depression has served to en-
phasize the physical advantages of the
continental friendship and co-opera-
ton which pan -Americanism repre-
sentS. The benefits of unified action
stand out more clearly in times of
distress.
Although much is yet to be accom-
pliShed in the economic and in the
political field-and even~much more in
the intellectual aspect of pan-Ameri-
can relations-it would be unfair to
deny that the IL months elapsed since
the first celebration of Pan-American
day have witnessed substantial gain.
Curtis win Preside.
This gain adds significance to the
exercises which will commemorate next
Thursday the second Pan-American
day. In Washington Vice President
Curtis will preside at the ceremonies
and address a large assemblage of stu
dents from the schools, colleges and
universities of the District of Columbia
on the scope and benefits of pan-Amer-
icanism.
Other acts designed by the governing
board of the Pan-American Union-an
extraordinary session Of the board, a
tribute by the Latin American chiefs
of mission to George Washington, a
concert of Latin American music in
the Hall Of the Americas, and so on
will mark the celebrations in the Capt.
tai of the United States, while official
functions, exercises and parades are
being held from one extreme of the
Continent to the other.
This celebration of American
day" by the governments of the 81
American republics seems an especially
appropriate occasion on which to stress
once more the merits Of the Pan-Amer-
lean movement and to point out the
misunderstanding which still stand in
its way.
The New World is day by day, in
proportion to its cultural and economic
growth attaining greater influence in
the political affairs of mankind The
other continents look to US on this side
of the Atlantic for solutions of some
of their major problems 1t may seem
Venturesme to assert that the decline
of Europe has begun, but it is no longer
possible to refuse to acknowledge the
development of new and powerful in
fuence in the Western Hemisphere
which is giving it privileged position
IN world politics
At present the United States is at
the climax of her international pres
tlge, and therefore is almost eXclu-
sively representing that influence, but
not far in the future lies the increas-
ing participation of the American re-
publics south of the Rio Grande. To-
day the importance of these republics
Is purely nominal, but when their eco
nomic resources have been properly
developed, their cooperation will be
indispensable in the influence of Amer
lean idealism on the other countries
of the world.
Great Economic Importance.
In this lies the real value of pan
Americanism; in paving the way fol
unification and for Joint leadership
The true hegemony of the new Worlo
seems to depend upon the success oi
the pan-American scheme
As for the United States, if she dis
regards it, scorning the friendship anc
cooperation Of the other American
nations, she may have difficulty in con-
tinuing that material and political de-
velopment which is winning peacefully
for her pre-eminent position in the
world. Prejudices and opposition ir
the countries of the south would con-
stantly hamper her policies
Moreover. aside from its political
value, pan-Americanism has also, &
great economic importance for Uncle
Sam, affording a solid basis for pro-
noting the sale OF his products and the
profitable investment of his capital
There is no secret about the worth Of
pan-Americanism in dollars and cents
It is needless to repeat here statistics
which are too well known, Of the tre'
mendous commercial value Of inter
American relations.
So far as the Latin American coun.
tries are concerned, they should derive
even greater benefits from pan-Am
ericanism. In accepting it, they be-
come parties to that American hegem
ony which Is bound TO result in thei
economic betterment The material ad
vantages resulting from their friendl!
relations with the United States, tn
most powerful economic unit in tn
world, cannot but help their economi
growth, their industrial development
and improve their standards of life.
Politically the Latin Americal