Latin America and Colombia 



699 



scholars, scientists, and philosophers, as 

 well as universities and professional 

 schools, which are no less advanced than 

 similar groups and institutions in the 

 United States and Europe! 



How few North Americans, moreover, 

 of high position in public life, in literary, 

 scholastic, and scientific circles, visit 

 Latin America and exchange courtesies 

 with their fellow-statesmen and students, 

 as they do with those of Europe! No 

 greater blessing to Pan-American accord 

 could now be bestowed than an exchange 

 of actual visits and views of the leaders 

 of Pan-American thought and action. 

 Latin America is too much accustomed to 

 seeing and meeting only those North 

 Americans who are intent on making 

 money, securing this and that concession, 

 and thinking only of selfish material con- 

 siderations and a return, with pockets 

 filled, as soon as possible to the United 

 States. 



A change, a renaissance in higher-class 

 association, acquaintance, and friendship, 

 will not only start an era of good will and 

 better mutual appreciation, but indirectly 

 prove of extraordinary advantage to com- 

 merce and trade. European countries 

 long ago realized the distinct advantage 

 of such intercourse with and knowledge 

 of Latin America, and have improved 

 every opportunity to promote more inti- 

 mate acquaintance. 



NORTH AMERICANS MUST EEARN SPANISH 



As to language, it is difficult to speak 

 with patience. So small is the percentage 

 of North Americans visiting Latin Amer- 

 ica, on business or pleasure, who speak 

 Spanish, Portuguese, or French, that it 

 is a wonder they make any progress in 

 their plans. Ninety-five per cent of the 

 Europeans who go to Central and South 

 America understand one of these tongues. 

 French is mentioned because nearly all 

 the well-educated Latin Americans speak 

 that language. This subject requires no 

 argument ; it is simply impossible for the 

 North American who knows none of 

 these languages to become thoroughly 



"simpatico" and to master the Latin point 

 of view in either commercial or political 

 relations. I would that both our busi- 

 ness schools and regular colleges might 

 make the study of either Spanish, French, 

 or Portuguese compulsorv in order to 

 receive a diploma. Portuguese is more 

 important than is generally regarded, be- 

 cause it is the working language of Bra- 

 zil — and Brazil today is taking rank as 

 one of the great nations of the world ; but 

 the average well-to-do Brazilian also 

 speaks French. 



LACK OF FAST STEAMSHIP FACILITIES 



In studying the causes that act as de- 

 terrents to Pan-American accord, we 

 must emphasize the lack of first-class 

 passenger and mail steamship service, 

 such as characterizes the systems of com- 

 munication between Europe and Latin 

 America. The long-established and well- 

 defined association of Latin Americans 

 with Europe has been immeasurably en- 

 couraged by the excellence of steamship 

 facilities, which have given them ready 

 access to the satisfactory conditions found 

 there, in turn for business transactions, 

 education of families, and enjoyment of 

 leisure and travel. If the average mer- 

 chant and traveler of South America 

 could reach New York with the same 

 comfort and speed that he can proceed to 

 Paris, there would be at once a vast and 

 radical change in the situation favorable 

 to the United States. 



This statement is not made as an argu- 

 ment for a "subsidized" merchant marine. 

 The speaker is not discussing the pros 

 and cons of that mooted issue. He is 

 simply stating a fact and describing a 

 situation. That there is not one -first- 

 class fast mail and passenger steamer run- 

 ning between New York, in the United 

 States, and such important South Amer- 

 ican points as Rio Janeiro and Buenos 

 Aires was given glaring prominence by 

 the experience of the delegates to the 

 recent Pan-American conference in Rio 

 Janeiro. Only a few could obtain ac- 

 commodations on the one little vessel 



