Page images
PDF
EPUB

would be a heavy blow to the international organization. It would, in truth, be a case of bypassing. It is a little hard to see how we could with good conscience attack some countries for obstructionism in the UN if we prefer to work bilaterally on a job to which the UN has already given its approval and which, in some ways, it is better equipped to carry out than any single nation. Most of the work should be done through the UN, also, because the whole program must be free of any possible suspicion that it will be a means of extending American power. I am not thinking in the way in which Communist countries would misinterpret a purely bilateral program, though they would certainly trumpet to the world that this is a part of a scheme of American aggrandizement. It seems likely that some of the underdeveloped countries, terribly sensitive as they are to anything that seems to threaten their hard-bought independence, would cooperate more freely with an international body than with any one nation.

ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM

2. We urge that something like an Institute of International Technical Cooperation be set up, either within or outside the State Department, to which the President could delegate his functions under the bill. This would be in line with our purpose to make this program, not simply a temporary part of our foreign policy but a permanent and growing feature of it. We would welcome also authorization to appoint an advisory board representing voluntary agencies. Many of our missionary agencies have had wide experience in medical, agricultural, and other types of projects in the underdeveloped areas. Some of the missionaries know the people and their problems perhaps better than any other single group. They are deeply interested in Point 4 and would be glad to help in an advisory capacity.

3. We believe that special legislation on the general lines of the Kee-Herter bill is required. Point 4 ought not to be reduced to a slight extension of the technical aid we are already giving in some countries, without an organization or funds of its own. If it is to do the job it should be given status-parallel to the ECA. For psychological reasons, here and abroad, as well as to take care of many special problems the program will raise, we urge that there be special and separate legislation.

AMOUNT INADEQUATE FOR PURPOSES

Finally, the Kee-Herter bill in the House provided a budget not to exceed $45,000,000 for the fiscal year 1950. This included expenditures for the Institute of Inter-American Affairs. This, Mr. Chairman, is a small-sized budget for an enterprise of such supreme importance. It seems to say that we do not, even yet, recognize the demands of the situation or what such a program can ultimately mean for the peace and well-being of the world. We all understand that none of this money is to be used for gifts or investments. We understand that the very heart of the program is the provision of expert advice and direction, with the purpose of helping people to help themselves. And it is true that in such a program a little money may sometimes go a long way. But it seems doubtful that the 45 million will even pay the expenses of the commissions we could send out, the train

ing that we could provide and other aspects of getting the program started. The Council for Social Action believes that, so far from decreasing the suggested appropriation; it ought to be increased.

The CHAIRMAN. How much?

Reverend REISSIG. I would say-we will not do it-but I would say $500,000,000.

The CHAIRMAN. Five hundred million dollars?

Reverend REISSIG. Yes, sir. I think it is that important. I am speaking for myself, here.

The CHAIRMAN. You want to start with $500,000,000?

REVEREND REISSIG. I am not sure, with the present plans, that they could use $500,000,000 in the first year; but I think the plans could be enlarged so that they could use at least that much.

The CHAIRMAN. All right; go ahead.

Reverend REISSIG. If ever the American people were faced with an investment that promised great returns, this is it.

We urge that this committee report legislation that will help the American people to take hold of a world crisis in a positive and imaginative way, and convince restless and suffering millions that this great democracy is their real friend.

The CHAIRMAN. Any questions, Senator Green?
Senator GREEN. No questions.

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you very much.
Reverend REISSIG. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The CHAIRMAN. All right, the next witness is Mr. H. E. Ewing, of Dayton, Ohio.

STATEMENT OF HARRY E. EWING, DAYTON, OHIO

Mr. EWING. Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee on Foreign Relations, I speak as an American citizen, a native of Dayton, Ohio, and a small taxpayer in Randolph Township. Twenty-five years in educational work in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and 2 years recently in Peru, in contact with Latins through their own language, substantiate this statement.

The CHAIRMAN. What were you doing in those countries?

Mr. EWING. I was in educational work in different aspects under the Young Men's Christian Association, with the Coordinator of InterAmerican Affairs, with the Argentine Institute of Education, and more laterally with the Division of Libraries and Institutes of the State Department.

The CHAIRMAN. Are you in the Government service now?
Mr. EWING. I will complete my statement here.

Inter-American relations constitute one of my major interests. I am not now connected with any Government agency.

The CHAIRMAN. You have been though, for a long time, and you approach this question from that view, do you not?

Mr. EWING. I have been in Government service over a period of years. I am approaching it more as a layman and as a taxpayer, Mr. Chairman, and I can honestly say, as an observer.

The CHAIRMAN. All right, go ahead..

FAO PROGRAM FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Mr. EWING. There are several aspects of the point 4 program involving an expenditure of $45,000,000 which are of supreme importance. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, operating since 1945 with a budget under $5,000,000, has achieved modern miracles cooperating with other agencies in Europe, Asia, the Far East, and just beginning in Latin America.

Technical men from our own country and other leaders utilized in the 58 member nations have been mobilized and used in tackling production and distribution problems in underdeveloped areas in very practical ways. When not available, leadership is prepared under interchange programs. The folder entitled "FAO, What It Is, What It Does, and How It Works," should be carefully read by every member of this committee.

Mr. EWING. The director general is Mr. Norris E. Dodd, Under Secretary in the Department of Agriculture. With very limited funds, FAO has made a beginning in Latin America. The nutrition conference held in Montevideo, the forestry mission in Brazil, and fishery research and work in Peru already give evidence of practical achievement.

It is my conviction as a layman observing this particular work that a change in organization or reduction of funds would not only be lamentable but would be more costly. Instead of less funds for FAO, Mr. Chairman, since they operate in underdeveloped areas in food and agricultural research and work, it would seem advisable to find some way of increasing the allotment particularly for Latin-American countries, so rich in possibilities, for their own self-advancement and for alleviating needs in Europe. and eventually relieve the strain to Europe and Asia.

This course will make for economy on our own farm production and aid

PROGRAM OF INSTITUTE OF INTER-AMERICAN AFFAIRS

Let me refer now to the Institute of Inter-American Affairs. The sanitary and educational missions in Peru are with limited resources cooperating with the Peruvian Government in facing major problems. There is an interchange of experience and frequently young men of promise are brought or sent by their own government to the United States for special training. As director of the Peruvian-American Cultural Institute, I was associated with distinguished Peruvians and American businessmen in Lima-see attachment article of the Rotarian of February 1950-with six other American teachers, under an award from the Division of Libraries and Institutes of the Department of State.

(The attachment above-referred, submitted by Mr. Ewing, is as follows:)

LIMA LEARNS ENGLISH-ABOUT A "GOOD NEIGHBOR" CENTER IN PERU THAT
MUTUALLY ACQUAINTS TWO PEOPLES

(By Bart McDowell)

A Peruvian heart specialist thumbed through a medical book published in Philadelphia. It outlined new methods of diagnosis, perhaps offering him chances

to save lives. But the book was useless-to him. He could read no English. Thoughtfully, he approached an attendant.

If one could find interested colleagues, he asked, could someone teach him English?

Si, si! said the attendant; that was the sort of thing the Peruvian-American Cultural Institute of Lima was for. One week later that heart specialist and nine fellow physcians were learning English.

Such services are routine for the Peruvian-American Cultural Institute, which is setting the pattern for centers springing up throughout Ibero-America.1 The Lima Institute trains Peruvian tourist guides, sponsors art exhibits and lectures, and teaches "States style" dances to Latin bobby-soxers. And here Peruvians and norte-americanos, as Yankees are called, meet as friends for cultural giveand-take.

"It is reassuring to know my tax money goes to something so worth while," commented a recent visitor from the United States.

"Thank you," said the institute attendant. "We do have some workers from the Embassy, but none of your tax money comes here. We're self-supporting!" The 50 workers at the institute are proud of that fact. For 11 years, now, they have given a demonstration that international good will can be both interesting and practical. It started when a group of Peruvian civic leaders suggested to friends in the American colony in Lima that the "Good Neighbor" idea be translated into action. Why not form an organization in Lima to help the Peruvian man-in-the-street learn about the United States? In the same way, norte-americanos living in Lima could discover the real Peru.

The United States businessmen in Lima liked the proposal. Informally, several met in the homes of friends to discuss the idea in Rotary-like roundtable fashion. On their own, some of them engaged the main rotunda of the Hotel Bolivar for the organizational meeting, and crossed their fingers.

That foggy June evening in 1938, all misgivings were relieved. The turnout was tremendous; the United States Ambassador, the Foreign Minister of Peru, along with businessmen, educators, and housewives, all packed into the hotel rotunda. The idea struck fire: a self-supporting institution based on personal service and international understanding. Those who picked up the Bolivar's bill that evening knew that they'd started something.

Immediately institute President Dr. Alverez Calderón, one of Peru's most famous lawyers, took the lead in getting funds from United States and Peruvian businessmen. Six months later, when delegates from the United States and Canada arrived in Lima for the Eighth Pan-American Conference, they found a ready-made introduction to Peru waiting for them.

The institute sponsored a series of lectures and exhibits called Panorama of Peruvian Culture. Limeños still talk about the success of that series. Leading doctors spoke on public health in Peru; art critics discussed colonial architecture; painters held exhibits; and musicians gave concerts of Peruvian music. That same year the institute got its program underway for Peruvians, too. The most effective way to tell the story of the United States, the directors decided, was through newspapers, books, and magazines from the north. That would mean teaching English.

Experimentally, the institute started a class-with three students. The following year there were 50. A small fee was levied to meet expenses; still the classes increased. There were too few teachers and too little room. A library was opened; wives of American businessmen volunteered their services for library duty. Other United States citizens gave books.

When the school and library outgrew facilities, the directors put the problem before the United States State Department. Thereafter five trained American teachers were available to the institute. Except for them the institute pays its own way-45 teachers and attendants, rent for classrooms, upkeep, everything. The classes in English, which provide the principal revenue, have now swelled to 2,500 students.

The institute's board of directors determines policy. Dr. Emilio Romero, the president, has been given leave of absence this year since his appointment as Peruvian Ambassador to Ecuador. Another board member, Dr. Pedro Ugarteche, has gone on leave as Ambassador to Belgium.

"That's one of our troubles," says Harry E. Ewing, institute director. "We have such a good board of directors that the Government keeps appointing the members to jobs that take them away from us."

1 See Biblioteca Benjamin Franklin, by Erik Vane, the Rotarian for September 1948.

Ewing, a Lima Rotarian of long standing, hails from Dayton, Ohio, but he has spent most of his life since 1910 in South America.

Another Rotarian is the acting president of the board, Herbert Hallett, who has been a member of the Lima Rotary Club since 1932.

To visit the institute is to see a cross section of both Lima and Peru. Some students arrive for their English lessons in chauffeur-driven cars. Others are the poorest of cholos, the Peruvian Indians. But it has been a basic policy in the institute that United States-style democracy, and equality of opportunity, should govern policy. In one English class recently, the wives of two Peruvian Ambassadors and a Cabinet member sat and studied with a laundress. A few years ago a class like that would have been unthinkable in aristocratic Lima.

To Pedro Lopez, Peru's John Q. Citizen, the institute offers many other attractions. Maybe he first comes to the center to hear a lecture. If Pedro is a student at Lima's San Marcos University, he may want to hear about life at the University of Minnesota. Or maybe he wants to hear a discussion of international trade, or the New England poets.

Once Pedro has heard his lecture, he may browse in the library among the books and the magazines, which, of course, include Revista Rotaria, the Spanish edition of the Rotarian. If he wants to hear some recorded music, he may listen to any of the 235 albums in the music collection-everything from American folk ballads to symphonies.

If Pedro decides to take a course in English, either as a beginner or as an advanced student, he can sign up almost any time. New classes begin almost every week. The only requirements are the fee-about $1.10 a month-and an entrance test to see how much English he knows. In his classes he will learn by a method adapted from the United States Army: the speeded-up system in which he learns English by speaking it, using almost no Spanish to aid him.

For teachers of English in Peru's schools the institute offers a special summer course. More than 100 teachers from all over Peru take it each year, and the United States Ambassador to Peru usually holds a tea and reception for them.

Work like this has won the attention and respect of leading Peruvians. Word has also made the rounds of all South America. Similar institutes in Colombia, Chile, and Brazil have all used the Lima center as a pattern.

But the institute is not resting on laurels. It's about to start a circulating library so books can be sent all over Peru, and it is laying aside money to build a home of its own. True to tradition, the institute will pay for the building itself, proving again that international good will, if directed with sincerity and good sense, can be its own practical reward.

Mr. EWING. Twenty-five hundred Peruvians were enrolled in our English classes and thousands heard lectures on the American way of life and used our library containing 4,000 volumes in English. Funds provided locally amounted to over $25,000 each year, more than the cost of the interchange program. Here, Mr. Chairman, and in some 30 other centers in Latin America, we have under this same program impressive evidence of the people of the United States of America meeting the people of the Latin-American Republics on a mutually helpful basis and working together for the cause of human progress and liberty in the Western Hemisphere. Why there has been so little emphasis on cooperation with our Latin neighbors in this reconstruction period is very difficult for me, as a layman and student of interAmerican relations, to understand.

In making the point 4 program operative inn Latin America, you build on the work of thousands of former students in our own American universities, the accumulated experience of our Catholic and Protestant missionaries and other private educational enterprises. Through the Inter-American Schools Service and all these cooperative agencies, emphasizing the training of new leaders and the interchange of men and women of experience, you are, Mr. Chairman, strengthening the hands of all who are endeavoring to do constructive work and thereby offset pernicious and unfriendly American influences so active in all these areas. The Bogota Inter-American Pact of 1948

« PreviousContinue »