88 REPORT OF Tim SECRETARY GENERAL. 



but as to the outcome of which even tlie combatants themselves are in 

 the dark — a struggle before which, against our deepest sentiments, we 

 must remain as mournful spectators — ^in meeting here to-day, I say, I 

 feel that we are discharging a great duty to civilization. Far from me 

 the idea of insinuating that our position is one of protest against the war, 

 because it is not so, neither in thought nor in fact. But^I must say that 

 between the rage that moves the struggling nations of Europe and the 

 thought that prompted the meeting of the Republics of America here, 

 this day, there is a glowing contrast, and therefore a valuable lesson by 

 which we are to profit first of all ourselves. 



In the history of America we have reached a period when international 

 niceties and conventionalisms are not enough. There is no mistaking 

 the manifestations of the desire of their several peoples to see the rings 

 of such conventionalities broken asunder in order to enter into an unin- 

 cumbered and friendly intercourse among themselves. Let us know 

 each other better and more intimately; let us put into that mutual 

 knowledge the greatest sincerity, let us carefully measure our aspirations 

 and desires, let us be prudent in examining the causes which at first sight 

 we have not been able to understand, and we will soon see in ever increas- 

 ing gradation, mutual tolerance, mutual appreciation, friendship, and 

 even warm affection among the several countries in this hemisphere. 



That this process is to be a long one no one can doubt, as there are 

 many difficulties in its way, not only of a geographical character, but of 

 an ethnical nature as well. But one after the other will give way to 

 earnest and loyal intent; each coming generation will purify, from the 

 troubled waters of humanity, its own dregs, until the day will come 

 when through the fusion of ideas and good will the waters made clear will 

 run in a flood of equality and fraternity of the peoples of America. 



The Venezuelan delegation has come to this gathering fully convinced 

 that while collaborating in the advancement of science it will contribute 

 to the moral progress as well as to the material rapprochement of the 

 American Republics, and at the same time to the uplift of human con- 

 science. And in taking a place among the distinguished delegates of the 

 Americas we have the honor to present our respects to the Chief Execu- 

 tive of the United States in the honored person of the Vice President, 

 to the honorable the Secretary of State, to the worthy president of the 

 Second Pan American Scientific Congress, to whom we are indebted for 

 their gracious words of welcome, and to the distinguished colleagues 

 with whom we are to share for a few days the work which has such an 

 auspicious beginning. 



