134 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY GENERAI,. 



hearts and consciences of men. Its sanctions can not be defied with 

 impunity, nor can those of international law. 



However the passions of warring nations may tend to the ignoring of 

 these obligations, we can appeal to the deliverance at The Hague and 

 hear the authoritative voice of reason and humanity proclaiming a law 

 "whose seat is the bosom of God and whose voice is the harmony of the 

 world." 



Never since these continents were first pressed by the feet of white 

 men has such an opportunity come to the peoples of North and South 

 America to unite for their own advancement and for the blessing of the 

 world. We need no formal treaties to impel us to the unity of thought 

 and action that will make the injury of one the injury of all. It is for 

 us, of all the world, to make a moral salvage of Christian civilization. To 

 paraphrase the words of our President, the Americas ask nothing for 

 themselves except what they have a right to ask for humanity itself. 



Friendliness and good will have been the atmosphere in which this 

 congress has worked for the benefit of humanity. It is only for the 

 peoples of the two continents to will to be friends and the work is accom- 

 plished. Time and circumstance have drawn us together. We can not 

 ignore the community of our interest if we would, nor can we neglect the 

 duty of cooperation which that community imposes upon us. 



With the performance of that duty of cooperation will come, I am 

 sure, the mutual respect upon which alone true friendship can be founded. 

 On such foundation I look forward hopefully to a union of the peoples of 

 Pan America more enduring than any that come from treaties or laws. 



Gentlemen of the congress, your meeting in this Capital City has 

 brightened our hope for the future, and on behalf of the United States 

 delegation I bid our brethren of Latin America a regretful and affectionate 

 farewell. 



Mr. Lansing introduced his excellency the minister of foreign affairs 

 of Costa Rica in the following words: 



Gentlemen, I feel that it would be presumptuous on my part to say a 

 word following the eloquent address to which you have listened, and which 

 I am sure finds an echo in the heart of every American, whether he be 

 from the north or the south, and I would only add this, as a toast to the 

 restoration of peace in this war and the reverence for law throughout the 

 world, to those who make principles which should guide individuals and 

 nations in their intercourse with one another. 



Gentlemen, we have had the honor to hear from South America and 

 from North America. It is now our privilege to hear from Central 



