Evening star., 1932-04-17

FlrSJ, JQaB OF RONeTnIlleHG Olll-
i cials. verbose party leaders and
diplomats of gold-embroidered
uniforms. They look at it from a
political point of view, and naturally
expect 20 accomplish the ideals of Pan
Americanism - everlasting peace and
cooperation in the New World -
through the age-old political methods of
treaty signing, arbitration agreements,
political conferences and spectacular
goodwill embassies
Second, that of business men and
travelling commercial agents. They ad-
vocate - and practice - the establish
ment of closer economic links as the
only way to turn into material realities
the dreams of internationalists. These
were, to a certain extent, 1t must be
admitted, the pioneers of Pan-Amer1-
canism, though perhaps without real
izing it. OF late, and probably en-
couraged by the growing commanding
influence of economic forces in world
affairs, they have been-and still are
running away with the credit for any
Improvement in inter- American friend
ship. however slow this may be.
Outside of these two methods-the
political and the economic-Which are
the only two so far attempted in a CEN
tury of inter-American relations, there
is another one, almost ignored to the
present, which we might call the scien-
tific method.
See Education as Key.
The principle of this method is not
new, but its application has only re-
Gently been discussed. Its promoters
are educators, college professors writ
erS and other types of Missionaries" who
never have enjoyed much favor with
hard-boiled public opinion. They be-
ieve that the best way to attain the
goal of Pan-Americanism is that OF
cultural interchange, better knowledge
OF each other and the mutual under
standing which only popular education
can avail.
Although I think that the real solu-
ton will be found only when the three
methods are put to work simultaneously,
it seems to me that the superiority of
the third one is supported by common
sense. Probably none of the three alone
could, by itself, do the trick" but at
least the third one can lead the way to
the other two.
The settlement of political differences
Is, obviously, an essential requirement
before any two nations, or any group
of nations, can come TO a lasting friend
ship. But such settlement is impos-
sible of attainment as long as misun-
derstandings, lack of knowledge of one
another, and the suspicion which both
create. are allowed to stand in the way
of political arrangements.
Economic ties, also, must be ac-
corded the Importance they deserve in
promoting international good will But
1t may be fatal to overestimate that i'm
portance. In an era of scientific prog
ress. rapid means of communication.
radio, wireless, and so on. commercial
links and material contacts, it is true.
should have considerable weight in
building up friendship among 81 young
republics which are to profit from their
mutual cooperation But friendship
based nr'relv on material foundations is
not solid. 1t is not even reliable.
Prefers Scholars Efforts.
I do not hesitate TO confess that to
the Pan-Americanism Of politicians and
to that of travelling statesmen I prefer
the Fan-Americanism of scholars. Even
if this still is, for the public, the Pan
Americanism of "visionaries''
Only last week, commenting upon the
celebration of Pan-American day
blllOOSklOuL G1tC
Particularly those conferences deal
ing with educational and cultural mat
ters should be frankly encouraged
They can afford the only real basis for
an actual understanding, for they en-
deavor to remove that lack of knowledge
which is the chief source of all mis-
Interpretation and antagonism. Peo-
Piles who do not know each other can
not understand each other The sue
cess of Psn-Americanism depends pri-
marily upon the better cultural knowl-
edge of each other that peoples of diff
ferent points of view and different
psychology may have. This commerce
of the things of The mind is a substan-
tial element in promoting international
good will In it statesmen of both
Americas will find the only path to
Pan-Americanism, a regional organiza-
ton Of human society in a continent
where history has not left hatredS. bit
teTnesses and old animosities among its
components."
Two days afterward ! met Dr. Glen
Levin SWiggett 1t is of ideals like DR..
Swiggett's, for an InterameTican Fed
Grafton Of Education, that l was think
ing, when 1 wrote those sentences. DR..
Swiggett is one of the pioneers of that
-Americanism which I call scien-
ll4lC, LIldG fd1l- ALUCI ICdu1SLl IlllOu
education.
He has just returned to Washington
from one Of his numerous trips to Latin
America. This time he went to Pana-
ma to make arrangements for the sec
ond meeting Of the federation, in the
capital of Panama, the crossroads Of
the Americas
DR.. SWiggett has the enthusiasm, the
fire OF all the Missionaries who plan for
the future. he has confidence in his
child the Interamerican Federation
Of Education "a confidence which is
1nVigorating and contagious.
Preparation Is Needed.
If you ask him why so many con-
ferences and associations for the settle
ment of political questions have failed
in the past to create that continental
good will which PanAmeTican leaders
pursue, he will tell you that the answer
lies in the failure to prepare, by means
of education the peoples of those ma
tionS struggling for international ac-
cord
He will tell you that dependable CO.
operation can only come from a con-
tinental popular desire for interameri-
can understanding that education
alone can lay down the basis for friend
ly social action. He believes that, after
so years of governmental effort, we are