REPORT OF THB SECRETARY GENERAI,. 7 1 



in Washington during the period of worid-wide desolation. It would 

 seem that by a natural reflex action Americans, having witnessed the 

 result of upheaval and conflict across the Atlantic, have banded together 

 in order that bonds of their security and peace may be strengthened and 

 assured. 



Gentlemen of the congress, Costa Rica, my country, is so small a nation 

 and has so very limited means at her disposal that she is unable to 

 offer any original work deserving the care of the science and learning of 

 your enlightened consideration. I therefore beg of you to accept in her 

 name the earnest and sincere wishes that your efforts may attain the 

 most brilliant success, a success in every respect befitting your learning, 

 the noble motives which summoned you here, and the greatness and 

 glory of the nations you are representing on this solemn occasion. 



CUBA: HIS EXCELLENCY CARLOS MANUEL DE CfiSPEDES, 

 ENVOY EXTRAORDINARY AND MINISTER PLENIPOTEN- 

 TIARY. 



Mr. Vice President, Mr. Secretary of State, Mr. Ambassador, President of 



the Second Scientific Congress, Ladies and Gentlemen: 



Speaking for the Cuban delegates, I have the honor of addressing your 

 excellencies in grateful recognition of your cordial greeting. Keenly do 

 we feel the warmth of, and sincere friendship in, your hearty welcome and 

 are touched with emotion by the noble sentiments so eloquently expressed 

 here to-day in the name of the Government and the people of the United 

 States. 



Also we are making fervent wishes for the welfare and glory of this 

 great Nation and for the personal happiness of His Excellency, the Presi- 

 dent, in whom many precious gifts are as innate as that clear illuminated 

 vision with which the prophets ascend to high and sacred places and 

 announce the revelation of a new era. 



The impressiveness of this solemn and historic moment is second only 

 to the magnitude of our collective mission. 



To the Pan American Financial Congress were submitted those 

 respective interests of an economic character from which the unity of 

 consular and commercial legislation, the prosperity of business, and all 

 that appertains to the development of our marvelous natural and indus- 

 trial resources are to derive. But it was a felicitous inspiration, indeed, 

 that placed the powerful array of efficient mental force here assembled, 

 like an army of light, at the service of Pan Americanism — a pact of 

 freemen. 



