Evening star., 1939-11-10

Mrs. Pratt said she had heard
numerous complaints from foreign
students that they were known to
American students only as "the
French student" or the German
student" and not by their own
names.
Proper Guidance Urged.
She suggested that careful super
vision be provided for exchange stu
dents for at least the first few days
of their arrival here, so that no
unfortunate first impressions would
be created. She said they ought to
be met at the boat and guarded
against possible excessive taxicab
fares.
The opinion was expressed by a
number of delegates that a rigid
course of instruction is necessary
to prepare exchange students for
their new environment-both those
coming from South America and
those going there from the United
States.
Some differing points of view,
however, cropped up as to just what
procedure should be followed in
drawing up guidance programs for
exchange students.
DR.. r. S. Atwood of the University
of Florida was in favor of using
the entire faculty of the institution
attended by the student, from the
president on up to the football
coach" Another delegate, how
ever, thought the guidance should
be handled by few personnel work.
ers substantially relieved of faculty
duty.
Sports Declared Lacking.
The differing backgrounds, not
only between Latin American and
North American students, but also
between those from various Latin
American countries, were empha-
sized. One woman delegate declared
that children were sophisticated at
the age of Is in Latin America. She
also attributed the number of revo-
lutionary movements by student
groups to the fact that there Is so
little sport in the Latin American
program.
They have nothing else to do"
she said.
Other discussion groups thrashed
out the problems of exchange schol-
arships, academic and public edu-
cation in nter-American affairs,
better acquaintance of North Amer
lea with Latin American scholars
and materials for curriculum ex-
change.
Another group dealt with the
health and medical research Coop
Grafton between the republics. Here
the Importance of cooperation be-
tween laboratories was emphasized
because of the extension of tropical
diseases.
It was indicated that language
barriers had been difficult to sur
mount in the exchange of pub,ica-
tions on medical subjects due to
difficulty in obtaining good transla-
tions.
Hull Pleads for Understanding.
Speaking at a luncheon, Secretary
Hull warned that the war in Europe
might leave the Western Hemisphere
the trustee of civilization until. such
time as European countries might
recover from the struggle.
Iyo ,,rroI that thu R~o IL
and political relations between the
American republics be "buttressed'
by broad understanding" between
the republics.
The need now is for contacts be-
tween teachers and students of the
republics to supplement the diplo-
matte contacts, he declared
In an afternoon session following
the Secretary's address, DR.. Stephen
Duggan, director of the Institute OF
International Education, hinted that
American business firms interested
in Latin America should do theil
part in the promotion of cultura
exchange. He lauded educationa
and other institutions which have
contributed So exchange fellowship.
and professorships between the
Americas.
The delegates also heard a pro.
posal by DR.. William Mather Lewis
president of Lafayette College, tina,
the position of cultural and educa.
tional attache be set up in every
embassy and legation. He felt tina
such post would be as important
as that of naval or military attache
Orientation of Students.
The Rev. John F.. OHara, presi.
dent of Notre Dame University
emphasized the need for orientatior
of exchange students in their new
surroundings, pointing out the diff.
ferent upbringing of the North ane
South American youths.
The conference was told by Georg,
s. Messersmith, Assistant Secretar,
Of State, that the newly formet
division of cultural relations in tn,
State Department was in no sens,
to be considered an agency to spreae
North American propaganda among
neighboring republics.
An informal dinner was held las
night presided over by DR.. Georg.
F. Zook, president of the American
Council on Education. DR.. Zooh
emphasized the need for under.
standing between peoples, indicating
there would be no real apprecia.
ton Of Latin America until knowl.
edge of those republics was brought
to "the little red schoolhouse.
DR.. Duggan and Samuel F. Bemi.
of Yale University outlined oppor.
tunities and pitfalls that exchange
professors should note. w. w. Way.
mack, editor of the Des Moine.
Register and Tribune, said the pres!