INTRODUCTORY. 5 



In studying the record of this congress, it is well to bear in mind that 

 it was the most nutncrously attended official international conference ever 

 held upon the Western Hemisphere and the largest Pan American Confer- 

 ence that has assembled in any American Republic. Over two hundred 

 and ten delegates came to Washington from the twenty Latin American 

 Republics, while over a thousand delegates attended from the United 

 States. The membership was indeed of a high grade and represented 

 the best in the scientific, educational, professional, and political circles 

 of the countries represented. The scope of the congress was so broad 

 and it was characterized by so many sections that the published pro- 

 ceedings will give to the world a most useful and valuable collection of 

 up-to-date information, which will be prized by libraries and individuals 

 alike. In, other words, this congress was a notable milestone in the 

 history of modern. progress and civilization. 



As to the benefits of this congress, national and international, there 

 can be no question. It undoubtedly was a most powerful and fortunate 

 influence in promoting that kind of practical Pan Americanism which 

 appeals to the representative men of every American Republic. The free 

 discussion, the frank expressions of opinion, the suggestions of new ideas, 

 and the sincere spirit of friendly interest and cooperation, which featured 

 the congress undoubtedly were most productive of lasting Pan American 

 acquaintance and mutual understanding. The coming together, more- 

 over, and the intimate association of a large group of the best men of the 

 Latin American RepubHcs with men of similar kind from the United 

 States resulted in all the delegates returning to their respective homes 

 mibued with a new and truer spirit of international amity and intercourse. 



Since the congress adjourned in January, 1916, the Pan American 

 Union, the official international organization of all the American Republics 

 devoted to good .understanding, friendship, intercourse, and commerce 

 among them, of which I have the honor to be the executive officer, has 

 had constant evidence of the interest which the congress aroused and of 

 the good which it accomplished. The correspondence daily pouring into 

 the Pan American Union from educators, scholars, scientists, financiers, 

 commercial leaders, and statesmen, who were inspired to greater interest 

 in Pan Americanism by the congress, has proved that its labors were not 

 in vain. There has been, moreover, a remarkable demand from every 

 part of the Western Hemisphere for the detailed record or report of the 

 proceedings of its many sections, which, at this writing, are being edited 

 under the supervision of the assistant secretary general. Dr. Glen Levin 

 Swiggett. 



