DOWN MEXICO WAY

As the United States peers out into the future, its leaders attempt to find security not only in rearmament and conscription, but in carefully cultivated friendship with Latin America. More and more men will go South to find a career, as cultural exchange increases and trade-nets tighten. Clearly it is a function of a wide-awake college to offer such individuals the chance to prepare themselves. And it is equally clear that, as this new world opens beyond our shores, it is the University's duty to be ready and willing to educate all interested in these peoples and their ways of life. That Harvard does neither, offering in this field nothing but a lonely half-course in the history of Mexico, may well invite comment.

The hard facts of a closely restricted budget, plus the lack of available men, make it impossible to fill this gap by next semester. Perhaps by next September the catalogue will announce a course in "International Relations--Pan-America." Meanwhile a temporary and immediate method of satisfying the growing demand ought to be devised.

First of all a reading list might be drawn up, and a prize offered for the paper best discussing some aspect of Pan-American relations. Yet the principal attraction for extra-curricular work of this sort lies in informal lectures or discussion groups under authoritative speakers. Unlike the ill-fated American Civilization Plan, which had to compete with regular classes in U. S. history and literature, a Pan-American program would enjoy a virtual monopoly in its field. Little doubt exists that it would be generously supported, provided only that a suitable hour--probably at bi-weekly intervals in the early evening--is selected. An interesting addition to the program might be a talk by some of the members of the summer-cruise-course to South America, who acquired a considerable insight into the habits and psychologies as well as the economics of the lands they visited.

It was in line with the increased interest in Latin America that Professor McNair last night advised Business School students to look to the opportunities present in our Neighbor Continent. The College should be as anxious to help its students explore new and promising fields.