FROM their earliest existence as free and in

dependent peoples, the countries of the New World had one thing in common: They wanted to stay clear of the ancient blood feuds which for centuries had afflicted the Old World. It was this desire which preserved the right of these free American peoples to live their own lives unhampered by Old World domination.

In an atmosphere of friendship and respect, the New World countries have gradually drawn closer together. Cooperation between them is becoming more and more concrete and is taking the form of mutually beneficial projects, many of which relate to agriculture.

One of the most promising of these cooperative projects is the newly formed Inter-American Institute of Agricultural Sciences, in which 21 American Republics are playing an equal role. The Institute, it is hoped, will be very helpful

in attacking the agricultural and rural-life problems of the various Latin American countries. This work is fundamental to any programs for raising their general standard of living, for it is only through increased efficiency in agricultural production that workers can be released for industrial production.

Thus the New World countries are demonstrating that it is possible not only to live side by side in peace and harmony, but to work together for the common good of all.

This is the kind of regional friendship and cooperation which we may hope will prevail in all parts of the world-both new and oldwhen the terrible threat of the mailed fist has been completely removed. But we do not need to wait until that glad day has actually arrived. Even while the war is on, we can begin, and we are beginning, to put our ideals into practice. We can begin making the world a neighborhood—right now.

AMERICAN REPUBLICS today present to the world an outstanding example of international cooperation. The present world crisis is demonstrating the soundness of the Pan American movement and the strength of the system of international relations that has been developed on the American Continent during the last half century.

The Pan American movement is not a phenomenon of the moment, but is the result of a long evolutionary process. Its value and its efficacy have been proved by time. Its origin may be traced to the very beginning of the independence movements in Spanish America in the earlier years of the nineteenth century. The leaders of those early days recognized that only through a policy of cooperation could they achieve the great objectives for which they were struggling.

Fortunately, this sentiment continued to prevail after independence was achieved. Throughout the remaining years of the nineteenth century and up to the present time the relations between the American Republics have been characterized by a policy of peaceful collaboration and mutual helpfulness. This is

especially true since 1890 when the modern Pan American movement began with the First International Conference of American States in Washington. There have been ex-2 ceptions and there have been differ ences, but on the whole international relations on the American Continent have emphasized the constructive rather than the destructive aspects of life.

The inter-American system is predicated on the recognition of and the willingness of the component states to subscribe to certain funda mental precepts in their mutual relations. These have been recorded in international treaties and declarations and are a part of the basic law of the Continent. They include the principle of the nonintervention of one state in the internal or external affairs of another, proscription of the use of force as an instrument of national policy and the nonrecognition of territory ac quired by force, the settlement of international differences by pacific means, economic organization on a basis that will contribute to the well-being of all nations, and the conduct of relations between states in accordance with the principles of international law.

Over and above these specific rules of conduct, the American Republics have developed a sense of contihental responsibility under which iny act or incident involving two or nore states immediately becomes the concern of every other member of he continental community.

The American Republics have established the principle of continental solidarity in their relations with states in other sections of the world. They have declared that any attempt on the part of a nonAmerican state against the territory, the sovereignty, or the political independence of an American state shall be considered as an act of aggression against all; that in case the

peace of the Continent is threatened by acts of any nature arising outside the Continent they will immediately consult together to determine upon the measures to be taken; and that no American state engaged in war with another non-American state shall be considered as a belligerent by the other American Republics.

In Wartime

It has been said that the test of any system is its ability to withstand the stress and strain of emergencies. On this basis the events of the last few years fully demonstrate the solid foundation on which the Pan American movement rests. The American Republics have shown that the system of international relationships developed in the Western Hemisphere is prepared to meet not only the problems of peace, but also the complex and difficult problems of a world conflagration. Immediately after the outbreak of the war in 1939 the solidarity of the Ameri

cas became apparent; and with each succeeding step in the extension of the conflict this sentiment of continental unity became more and more evident.

It was reflected first in the attempt of the American Republics to preserve their neutrality; this was the principal object of the Meeting of Consultation of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the American Republics held at Panama in September 1939. It was again emphasized in July 1940 when, following the downfall of France, it appeared that some of the European possessions in the Western Hemisphere might be transferred from their present owners to Germany. This would have constituted a distinct threat to the security of the Continent, and at the Second Meeting of Foreign Ministers held at Habana the American Republics declared that should such a transfer be attempted the American Republics would take over and assume the administration of such possessions.

Solidarity of the American Republics achieved its highest manifestation following the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The reaction of the Republics to this act of aggression was prompt and decisive. By their united action in the military and economic as well as in the political field they have demonstrated that their acceptance of fundamental precepts of international law represents more than pious words; that they are prepared to take affirmative action to uphold those principles, and to make their contribution so that they shall be recognized and respected throughout the world.

With the extension of the war to the Americas the problem. +he