technique and science can be transmitted from one group to another with relative ease. But only through the medium of literature, history and art can the deeper beliefs and conceptions that have grown out of long experience be transmitted. 4. The great obstacle to harmonious human relations is the sense of strangeness in the presence of people of other habits, manners and customs. The first step in breaking down prejudice towards such persons is to see the basic things we have in common. 5. The legal doctrine of sovereignty may remain an unchanging formula, but sovereignty in practice is subject to change, decay and growth. Actually it is limited today in many ways. Absolute independence makes for war. 6. Japanese legal science is tending towards the practical sociological approach to its problems; this same tendency to re-examine the accepted and time-honored postulates of law is in evidence in America. 7. We need a study of population problems in each country; commercial and property rights of the powers should be properly balanced with the rights of human labor and the proper distribution of the world's population. 12. IN WHAT WAYS CAN PUBLIC OPINION BE STIMULATED TO TAKE AN UNDERSTANDING INTEREST IN PACIFIC PROBLEMS? ROUND TABLE (ONE MEETING): MR. LEEBRICK, CHAIRMAN I. The discussion was opened by making the following suggestive list of the institutions, agencies, and organizations which are at the present time making for good public opinion, without any attempt to evaluate or arrange these in order of importance: 1. Foreign Policy Associations 2. National Foreign Trade Associations 3. World Peace Foundation 4. Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A., Student Christian Movements, Pan Pacific Union, Boy and Girl Scouts and other similar in ternational organizations. 5. Chambers of Commerce 6. Japanese-American Associations 7. Civic Forums 8. Service Clubs 9. Institutions such as the churches, educational agencies, colleges and universities, cinema, radio, press, etc. II. A list of similar agencies which made for harmful public opinion was made, including the following: 1. Official propaganda, especially "War Propaganda” 2. Censorship Regulations 3. Primary and secondary school histories of extreme nationalistic character 4. Cinema It was pointed out that any of these agencies might be utilized to form good or harmful public opinion, and that they were not inherently good or bad. III. Regarding methods of stimulating helpful public opinion on Pacific problems the following suggestions were made: 1. Articles written by Members of the Institute should be made known to all the other Members of the Institute. 2. Members should be supplied with all valuable papers and statements originating in the Institute. 3. Preparation of brief news dispatches to be ready for local release upon return of delegates to homes. 4. A small gift calendar or something similar to be published for Christmas, giving information about the doings of Institute. 5. Formation of groups which would influence the press to publish more news upon the Pacific. 6. Friendly Relations Clubs among boys and girls with a program of education and correspondence with other countries. 7. A handbook giving the purposes, methods, discussions and conclusions of the Institute should be prepared and might be distributed to tourist agencies. 8. Discussion groups and "follow-up" conferences should be carried on in all the countries. 9. Public opinion should be created through local clubs and organizations. Members should attempt to interest existing local organizations in Pacific problems. 10. The organization of the Council of International Relations of Southern California was described as being one of a type which would be desirable to promote in other communities. (See No. R 38 of papers distributed to Members.) 11. The educational viewpoint in schools should be changed from the theory of self-preservation to that of the Golden Rule. 12. Genuine attempts should be made on the part of all Members to have other countries really understood by their own peoples. 13. The cinema has done great harm in creating wrong impressions of peoples and countries. Steps should be taken to have all exported films undergo censorship in the country of origin. 14. Special reports and a full report of the Institute of Pacific Relations should be published and circulated. 15. Current bibliographies should be circulated from time to time. 13. HOW CAN EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS BETTER INTER-RACIAL AND INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING? ROUND TABLE (ONE MEETING): ROMANZO ADAMS, CHAIRMAN School text books in History should be rewritten with less emphasis on conflict and wars and with more regard for fairness in dealing with international affairs. Patriotism should be inculcated in ways that will not give the children false ideas of other nations and wrong attitudes toward them. There should not be too much glorification of one's own country. Through history, literature, biography and geography the children should be taught to appreciate the great men and worthy achievements of his own and of other countries. In colleges and universities several sorts of procedure are to be commended: 1. Exchange of professors 2. International relations clubs 3. Lectures on international relations 4. Debates on international relations. 5. Biographical courses-studies in foreign biography 6. Scholarly investigations 7. Scholarships for foreign students. In the cultivation of international spirit care should be exercised not to go beyond the truth. It is as bad to misrepresent favorably as to misrepresent unfavorably and the reaction may be worse. 14. METHODS OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ROUND TABLE (THREE SECTIONS, ONE MEETING EACH): MR. COLEMAN, MR. JAISOHN, MISS BOLLERT, CHAIRMEN I. Political and legal a. Treaties of arbitration b. Special international conferences c. Various activities and branches of the League of Nations, especially the International Labor Bureau. II. Educational a. World Federation of Education b. Cosmopolitan Student clubs. c. International Debating Clubs d. Attendance of Oriental students at Occidental universities e. Special courses in foreign languages and institutions and in inter national relations. f. Visiting groups of foreign teachers and students g. Exchange teachers in colleges and universities h. International Student Conferences i. Suggested additional agencies: 1. Editing and exchange of moving pictures. 2. Translation of plays for presentation in schools and colleges. 5. Conference of educational experts to consider all these agencies. III. Scientific a. International Research Council b. International medical foundations such as: I. International Health Board. 2. China Medical Board. 3. Willard Straight scholarship for Research in China. 4. Carnegie Institute of International Survey. c. Medical Missions. d. Pacific Science Congress. IV. Commercial: a. Standardization of commercial practice. b. International partnerships. c. Interchanging of commercial delegations. d. Use of commercial machinery for good will. V. Athletic: a. Far Eastern International Athletic meets. VI. Religious: a. International Y. M. C. A. b. International Y. W. C. A. c. Association of Concordia. d. Religious and educational work carried on by missionaries of all faiths. e. World Alliance for International Friendship through the Churches. VII. Literature: a. International Review of Missions. b. The Student World. c. Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. d. Publications of the League of Nations Unions. VIII. Cooperative Discussion a. League of Nations Unions. b. World Conference on Education. c. Pan-Pacific conferences. d. World Student Christian Federation. e. International Missionary Council. f. International Bar Association. g. International Federation of University Women. h. Pacific Labor Conference (suggested). (Excerpts of addresses on Cooperation along political, educational, and scientific lines appear on pages 136-144.) 15. WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF RELIGION IN BRINGING ABOUT THE SOLUTION OF THE PROBLEMS OF THE PACIFIC? ROUND TABLE (ONE MEETING): MR. CHEN, CHAIRMAN The chairman gave direction to the discussion by asking the question: "In what ways do religious leaders go astray in dealing with international affairs and to what extent are they carried away by their religious zeal and idealism?" Several opinions were urged by members of the group: 1. Religious leaders are inclined to speak representatively upon public questions when, as a matter of fact, they really offer only their own individual judgments. 2. Religious gatherings in the United States often pass resolutions informing the State Department or the President what the body as a whole desires done about certain questions. These resolutions represent only partial knowledge yet are pressed upon the authorities who probably possess a much fuller understanding of the problems involved. Certain suggestions were offered: 1. Religious leaders may help by studying the problems. Unofficial and informal study is often valuable as shown in the work of the National Christian Council of China. |