University of Miami - Ibis Yearbook (Coral Gables, FL)

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Ilciltrri F MeNlcoll economically independent nation with the specific aim of retaining the profits of enterprise within Latin America itself. The major trend has been the rapid growth of industry, especially in southern South America: and these southernmost countries may lie-come very im| ortant industrially in the next fifteen years. The growth of industry has brought to light the need for social legislation, which has been attempted through the enactment of labor laws, high tariff, crop diversification, national industries, and control of currency. In his second lecture. “Totalitarianism or Democracy? , I)r. Rippy clearly defined dictators as we find The Advance of Unity . . . is the most effective way to promote peace in the Americas. Our Hispanic-American Institute is a forum of good will. by CHARLOTTE A. KING PiKsuiKNT Asm:, since the inception of the University of Miami, has seen the need of fostering studies in the Hispanic-American field as the one true means by which we may advance sympathetic inter-American understanding. Hispanic-American forums in the past have had many noted Latin-Americans participating, but this year, under the able direction of Drs. Robert E. Mc-Xicoll and J. Riis Owre. the students of the University and the public at large were enabled to hear the views of the most outstanding North American scholars of H ispa nic-American affai rs. The 1939 Institute was formally opened January 9th by Dr. McXicoll. He introduced John Barrett, nephew of the late Dr. John Barrett, to whom this year’s Institute was dedicated in appreciation of the gift of his famed Pan-American Library to the University. The gift was presented to us by his nephew at this time. Dr. J. Fred Rippy of the University of Chicago, who is perhaps the outstanding North American authority on international relations with the I atin American countries, was the first speaker. It was interesting to note from Dr. Rippy s first lecture on Economic Trends in Latin America that it is only since 1930 that the Latin American countries have begun to attempt to liecome industrialized and thus independ-ent nations. They have been climbing out of that class of nations with frontiers open to any who might wish to invest capital and exploit their resources to the them in South America and in Europe today. This left no doubt in minds that there are no totalitarian dictators in Latin America. This gives great comfort to the majority of people although they, the Latin American dictators, give only lip service to democratic ideals and ways of life. It liehooves us to prove to them that we, the greatest of the democracies, though we, too. give more lip-service to democracy than we practice, are worthy of friendship and imitation. We must not sit liack in bland complacence or over-bearing arrogance and expect friendly simulation of our ideals. This thought leads to the third of Dr. Rippy s lectures on “World Relationships.” He divided this topic into three divisions: first, the growing cordiality with the United States, fostered in recent years by Presidents Uoolidge, Hoover, and the “good neighlxir” jwilicy of the present administration. The response in Latin America on the whole has not lieen unfavorable but all nations must be mutually helpful. His second division—flagging interest in the League of Nations—is almost too well known to need recapitulation. At one time all twenty nations were members but the first country in the world to withdraw was the little Central American republic of Costa Rica and at present only eleven of the twenty are still members. Some are actively striving for an American League of Nations. The third division, the Fascist threat, has perhaps been given more thought than any other of the problems with Latin America and has been the means of arousing our awakened interest in our southern neigh- [28]

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. . . a symposium on Pan-American ideas, many of them based on events that have taken place in the University this year. In December Miss Gabriela Mistral, one of the most outstanding women in Latin-America was the guest of l)r. and Mrs. Ashe at Grant House. Dr. J. R. Owre has written the following article about her and her works.—M. C. Gabriela Mistral is undoubtedly the foremost poetess now writing in Spanish. Her work is distinguished by what I might call a profound and intimate, and yet delicate, emotion. Like many Spanish-American writers. her work is full of fantasy, and yet this fantasy is never superficial, but rather, a fantasy whose roots lie deep in the sincerity of her soul. She writes of many subjects, but she prefers especially the common experiences of life, and these almost always come from her pen transfused by the poetess’ imagination into something strange and wonderful. Her work, in effect, represents a new phase in Spanish-American poetry—a realization of the value of the ordinary things of human experience. Too often Spanish and Spanish-American poets have sought the exotic and unusual as subjects for their works, but not so with Gabriela Mistral. Senorita Mistral’s work is known and loved by all who know the Spanish language. She has built for herself an enviable reputation as a poetess; and she has also become distinguished in many countries throughout the world as a diplomatic representative of her native land, Chile. For sixteen years she has represented her country in many other countries and in many capacities from consul to minister and ambassador at large, and emissary of good-will. Her work and her personality are strongly influenced by the Indian heritage that is hers and her country’s. This element represents one of the most important trends in the Hispanic-American life of our century the gradually growing realization that all the components of Hispanic-American civilization have a part in its tradition, and may make their contribution to its future growth.—J. Riis Owre OUR PA. -AMERICAN FUTURE Consuls of the Latin American countries at Miami, foresee the future of the University of Miami in its relation to the growth of Pan-Americanism and the economic evolution of the deep South. In order to know what the representatives of the Latin nations think about the possibilities of our institution. they were asked appropriate questions. 1'he questions were arranged by weighing the advantages of Miami as the crossroad between the Americas, the present trends in the western hemisphere, and the potent ial value of the University of Miami in the development of international good will. The reporter interviewed the several consuls and obtained their opinions as the voice of the countries which they represent. —M.C. Agency for Personal Contacts Mr. Howard Brown, Consul of Panama, and District Director of the National Youth Administration in Miami: Question: What will be the place of the University of Miami in the promising economic evolution of the South especially in connection with the growth of Pan-Americanism ? Answer: Its place must Ik that of an agency for bringing personal contents between students and professors of both continents, and for translating and interpreting Latin American philosophy of life to the average American citizen. In this University of the future, the new concept of Pan-Americanism, based upon the ‘good neighbor' policy instead of upon former diplomacies must l e the basis for teaching. With this enlightenment, the assembled youth of both continents will contribute to continental cooperation and will stimulate national policies. Forum for Intelligent Understanding Mr. Manuel Urruela, Consul of El Salvador, Central America: Question: Your additions to the discussion of Mexico in the first Winter Institute of Hispanic American Studies have been widely commented upon. What do you think about the future of these institutes in contributing toward greater intellectual comprehension among the nations of the Americas? Answer: I believe that the Winter Institute of Hispanic American Studies should have more popular ap-j eal. This may be brought about by presenting each (CONTI Nf BO ON PAOK MO I [27] I.uIkiii .otidrntik at tlM Ulllvrrulty

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bors. On the whole. Dr. Hippy is optimistic although he admits that the Fascist countries. Germany. Italy, and Japan are making tremendous cultural and commercial drives in Latin America. He stated that the commercial gains of the totalitarian nations were at the expense of England rather than of the United States: but the greatest safeguard we have is the individualistic character of the Latin Americans themselves with their devotion to personal liberty, peace and justice, democracy, nationalism, and their proven capability of effective resistance to foreign control. Dr. Ralph S. Hoggs, folklorist of the University of North Carolina, brought an entirely new concept of international understanding with the knowledge of the folklore of differing people as a basis. Folklore has always been a force in cultural life, that of time honored tradition divorced from science, with qualities of sincerity and unadornment: it reflects the truest form of the fundamentals of life. It fluctuates and yet is stable, since it preserves the Ixtsic values and nothing is more typical of a people than their folklore, which shows the race genealogy the cultural family tree. When one realizes that it develops fairly the same throughout the world it readily becomes valuable as a medium of international understanding, which must always precede international relationships. Dr. Boggs pointed out that although folklore is a science in that it is a comparison and identification of the revival of archaic beliefs and a study of the unrecorded traditions of a people, it has until very recently l ecn accorded only the interest of the nursery. It now awaits the conquistadores. those who will carry on in the field, living careful in the methods of bringing the folklore of one country to another, in that it should be impartial, not on the basis of one's own standards. It is bound to grow as a science and lake its place in universities, libraries, archives, and governments; then a firm basis of international understanding may lie formed with folklore as the common denominator of all peoples. To have a comprehensive understanding of the Latin Americans, their background in Spain is an essential prerequisite: the Directors of the Hispanic-American Institute afforded the opportunity of hearing Dr. Homero Seris, of Spain, known for his work in the field of literary criticism. Dr. Sens gave a discussion of the Literature of Spain not only in the first Golden Age of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries but also the claims for recognition of a second Golden Age in the nineteenth century. The fourth speaker. Dr. John Tate banning of Duke University, is the recognized authority on Swinish American colonial universities: in his lectures he [29] clearly brought home the fact that there is absolutely no basis on which we may place our customary attitude of arrogance and condescension toward our southern neighbors; for South American culture, civilization. and intellectual pursuits antedates our own by over one hundred years. When we realize the ser-vilism inculcated by the scholasticism of the colonial regime, we can more readily appreciate the profound struggle that must have taken place in every individual to bring about the philosophical revolution in Latin America in the latter part of the 18th century, which of necessity must preceed the | olitical revolution of any country. Beginning the last week of the Institute Dr. Wilfrid Hardy Callcott of the University of South Carolina, spoke on the subject of Mexico, that country of all the Latin American countries with whom we have had the most trouble throughout our respective histories. Dr. Callcott gave a most comprehensive picture of Mexico, politically, economically, and socially, in a manner with such compact comprehensibility that his point is clear: Mexico is pursuing the proper path and will undoubtedly work out her own destiny. Dr. Richard Pattee. Senior Divisional assistant in the Division of Cultural Relations of the Department of State, completed the lecture series. The majority of people in thinking of Latin America, think of it as Spanish America: this is a fallacy with no realization of the fact that one country in South America is larger than the United States and is completely Portuguese in origin and |M licies. Too many have neglected the study of the Portuguese contribution to America. Brazil is a tribute to an advanced stage of civilization and culture in that her jieoples conquered not through fire and sword, but through spiritual means, three great institutional evolutions without war or bloodshed: the separation from Portugal, the abolition of slavery, and the establishment of the Republic. This has meant that Brazil has been a bulwark of peace and tranquility on the American continent and goes far toward explaining our friendly relations with her (CONTIXI'KI) ON PAtilt W.. John Tutr 1-iiiiiimk J. t-'rrJ lUppy