Evening star., 1940-04-16

American countries and why that
appraisal is critical. We have been
considered crude, severe and ma
teriaIstic, a people afraid of leisure,
lacking in sensitivity and devoid of
soul. Undeniably there are people
who answer to these characteristics.
But we all know that they are not
representative of the people Of the
United States as whole.
Fortunately this appraisal is
changing. American business is be-
coming aware that it is not enough
for its representatives abroad to sit
in their offices and handle their
affairs through interpreters. 1t is
at last recognizing that knowledge
of local habits and customs is in
dispensable, that ability to speak
Spanish or Portuguese is useful and
that an interest in local affairs
brings appreciation.
Moreover, throughout our country
there is quickening interest in our
neighbors to the south of us. This
interest arises from something more
than desire to expand COM
merce. It is an interest of our
people, of farmers, artists, musicians,
workers, school children-a desire
that springs from deep inner con-
viction that it is important that we
know our neighbors better. This is
thoroughly heartening, but it also
gives some pause. 1t is one of our
traits to throw ourselves into some
new interest or cause with energy
and enthusiasm. New committees
are formed, new activities organized.
Sometimes these new interests par
take Of fad. 1t is also a charac-
teristic that we switch interests
quickly Nothing would be more
disastrous than such a course to
American understanding. If
the present white-hot zeal is fol-
lowed by the chill of indifference
and casualness, the friendly rela-
tions now so earnestly talked about
might be set back for generations.
Happily most of the present inter-
est is solid and deep-rooted in a
gradual development. Seeds sown
years ago and carefully nurtured
by years Of patient effort are now
bearing fruit. A few examples will
make this clear. The courses offered
by our colleges and universities on
the civilization of the other Amer
ican countries have increased in
number and attendance since 1895,
when the University of California
established course on history and
institutions, considered then a great
novelty. Today the number of such
courses, excluding those devoted to
the Spanish and Portuguese Ian
guages, reaches nearly 1000. Turn
to the publication of books on the
other American countries. During
the five years between 1919 and 1928
Sc books were published; during the
five years between 1894 and 1888
SOB books were published. The stim-
illus for much of this activity came
from the Pan-American Union. Its
Division of Intellectual Cooperation
has been performing a magnificent
service to all OF the American coun-
tries.
The so years Of the Pan-American
Union have seen an intensiflcation
of commerce between the Americas
The volume of commerce has ex-
panded, as we'll as the variety of
products exchanged. This increase
in trade continued almost without
interruption until the world eco
nomic depression, which caused
great hardship for all. but particu-
larly for small nations largely de-
pendent upon export markets for
one or two principal raw material
products. With the purpose of pro-
tecting their economies, many coun-
tries adopted restrictive measures
which still further diminished
trade. Just when most nations
were beginning to enjoy a resump-
ton of trade, powerful overseas ma
tions began to impose trade tech
niques to gain political objectives.
This was recognized by President
Roosevelt in his Pan-American Day
speech of last year, when he stated:
Should the method of attack
be that of economic pressure, I
pledge that my own country will
also give economic support, so
that no American nation need
surrender any fraction of its
sovereign freedom to maintain
its economic welfare. This is the
spirit and intent of the declara-
ton of Lima: The solidarity of
the continent.
The policies of our Government
have been directed forward, fore
stalling the arise of any such con-
tingency as that contemplated by
the President,
Under the authority of the Trade
Agreements Act, which happily has
just been extended for three years
more, agreements have been signed
with IL of the other American coun-
tries designed to increase the flow
of trade. Congress has enacted leg
islation authorizing the President to
detail officers of this Government
to assist and advise the governments
of the other American republics.
Under this authority, highway en-
gineers, public health specialists,
customs and. statistical experts, tax
and fisheries experts and financial