Evening star., 1934-07-15
PAN.ANFRICAN RESEARCH
STRESSEDBY C.. W. CENTER
Third Conference on Affairs Between
the Two Continents Now Under Way.
Broader Outlook Sought.

the New World. through the age-old
political methods of treaty signing:
arbitration pledges, recommending
conferences and spectacular good will
missions.
The second way is that of business
men and travelling commercial agents.
They advocate the establishment OF
closer economic links as the only
means of turning into material rean-
ties the dreams of internationahsts.
To a certain extent, it must be ad-
mitted. they were once among the
pioneers of pan -Americanism, though
perhaps without realizing it. Because
of the world depression, both their
enthusiasm and their influence have
dwindled in recent years.
Outside of these two methods, the
political and the economic, which are
the only two so far attempted-im-
perfectly, of courSe-in a century of
inter American relations. there is an
other. almost ignored to this day,
which we might call the intellectual
method.
The principle behind this method is
not new, but its application has only
recently been suggested. Its pro-
moterS are men of letters, educators,
college professors, writer's and other
idealiStS who never have enjoyed much
favor with hard-boiled public opinion.
They believe that the best way to at
tain, or at least to approach, the goal
of -AmeriCanism is that of better
knowledge of each other. cultural in
terchange and the mutual under
standing which only popular educa-
ton can avail.
Third Has Advantage.
Although the real solution probably
will be found only when the three
methods are put to work simultane-
ously. not before. the merits of the
third one are self-evident. If none of
the three alone could. by itself. suffice.
the third one has the advantage that
it may show the way to the other two
and simplify their problems.
The settlement of political differ
ences is, obviously, an essential re-
quirement before any two nations,
or any group of nations. can come
to lasting friendship. Discussions
as to principles and practices of in
ternational law can block the road
forever. So can political 'shibbo
eths." But political adjustments are
impossible while Misunderstanding
lack of mutual knowledge and the
suspicious which both create are al
lowed TO stand in the way
Economic ties. also. must be accord
ed the Importance they deserve in
promoting international goodwill.
There is danger however. in over
estimating that Importance. In an
era of scientific progress rapid means
of communication. radio, wireless.
etc, commercial links and material
contacts. undoubtedly. should have
considerable weight in building up
friendship among 81 republics which
are to profit from their mutual CO.
operation But friendship based purely
on material foundations is not per-
manent. 1t is not even reliable
Under the present organization of
society economic links are artificial.
intended for private or temporary
national benefit
AS things stand today. one should
not hesitate to prefer the pan-Ameri-
canism OF scholars to the pan-Ameri-
canism of politicians or that of trav-
cling statesmen. even if that still may
be, for the public, the pan-Amer1-
canism of "visionaries
tCopyrizht. 1e34D