Evening star., 1933-07-14

the achievements, the though, the
language of all the Hispanic countries.
The plans of the Washington section
are in the making now. No hard ana
fast program is to be adopted, but
whatever external form the work takes,
the endeavor will be made at every
turn to stress the higher cultural aims
through lectures, readings. discussions
of literary and artistic works. and SIM
liar events. to be given by outstanding
literary and artistic figures from Pan
America and from Spain. The section
is particularly rich in having N its
membership already, men notable in
their own countries in science, letters,
the law and the fine arts An infinite
variety of material Is thus available
which will be of the highest interest
to the members and their friends.
Many of the American diplomats are
orators of the first order, several Of
them quite easily at home in English.
and representative discussions and ad-
dresses are expected from several OF
them.
Other plans now under discussion
by the executive committee are also
cultural in nature, and are directed
toward better understanding Of His
panic and Ibero-American themes. One
such idea is the formation of class
which will be free to all members who
desire to learn Spanish. This will prob
ably be under the personal direction OF
a Spanish professor from Catholic
University. Other lectures will probably
include a course on the works of Ger
vantes by Dr. David Rubio of the
Library of Congress staff of consul
tants: illustrated lectures by Mr.. Riggs
on various phases of Spanish history,
orf orrl,itoot1Ira. nnccih1y q 6onca
recital by the great maestro Escudero
who took Washington by storm last
year and the year before: recitals. art
exhibits and conversational gatherings.
All this. however. is but the beginning
of activities which will be more far
reaching than anything of the kind ever
before attempted. The washington sec
ton will be active in an eXtra-educa-
tional sense in schools and secondary
institutions of learning as well as in
a more general way. Plans are being
laid for SCme sort of building or club
house within a year
This is one of the most vital aims
Of the group. because definite meet
ing place will house the activities OF
the organization, provide space for
library. bureau of accurate informa-
tion regarding conditions in Spanish
America, Spain and Portugal read
ing room, where selected books and
a wide range of periodicals from the
entire Hispanic world may be con-
suited. and a general meeting place for
the members and visitors. From such
a center student tours are expected to
be taken to Spain under the most ia
vorable auspices for both travel and
study. and to Latin America for OBJ
servation of the political, economic, So
cial and artistic conditions there. 1t
will be a center where visiting scholars
from all Spanlsh-speaking lands will
be at home. and where they may be
reached at any time during their stay
in the United States. Experts in lin
guistcs, literature, history art. COM
merce. law and score of other key
subjects. with which all the countries
interested are deeply concerned. will
be registered in this headquarters. and
may be appealed to there for opinion
upon practically any problem of either
current or historical import.
Seek Art Exchanges.
1t is hoped, also. that it may be
possible to arrange not only more ex-
| change professorships between the diff
ferent countries, but the sending out OF
art collections for travelling exhibitions
throughout Spanish America particu-
larly. the receiving of similar Latin
American collections here, and the Sc
lection from time to time of specially
chosen and qualified North Americans