We need definite and reliable information regarding the material status of the several peoples, including such matters as the standards of living and of health, the natural resources, and the industrial and commercial life. It is easy to desire profits from an impersonal situation, but he is a callous and unusual man who would seek luxury at the expense of those who are struggling on the border line of mere subsistence when the human facts are known to him.

We shall not know our situation if we fail to take account of political philosophies and institutions. Is the ferment of democracy working in all our countries, and to what end? Can the doctrines of Red Russia find root. in other countries and what fruit will be borne? What are our military plans and hopes, what are our national and international policies?

Lying deeper than any of these things we have mentioned are our fundamental philosophies of life. What are they? Do they separate us past hope of reconciliation and are they the results of the kind of peoples we are? The passion for domination and idealization of force which seems a part of the very being of the Anglo-Saxon, the contemplative and fatalistic tendency of the Oriental, the varying conceptions of what is worth while in life, the ideas of right and wrong, the idealism, can all these intimate, intangible, yet powerful things be understood and used to draw us into a community of understanding and effort?

And finally, what do we think of one another, for opinions are facts, -and of one another's conduct, both in general and in specific matters.

Knowledge is the first step, and a long one, toward wisdom. With such knowledge in hand as we can muster we must endeavor to find out the best steps to reach the ends we have set before us, namely, to avoid conflicts over the present issues between us, to promote sympathetic understanding, to cultivate tolerance, goodwill and appreciation, and to contribute to the evolution of a finer life in the countries of the Pacific.

I take it that the things we are undertaking are in the nature of education. The business of this Institute is not diplomacy. We are not here as "delegations" vying with one another. We are not trying to secure some advantages for our countries. Let no member imagine that he is here as a representative to vindicate his people or scotch some adversary. Let the truth appear, it will speak for itself, and he who runs may read. We are here as individuals looking for the light, seeking to gain wisdom, and, in all humbleness of mind hoping that through us wisdom may in some measure grow among the peoples from whom we come. I rather doubt the expediency of framing any resolutions. If we find some common grounds of truth perhaps we may state them with such compelling clarity that men will take them as their own. Can we not suggest some wise

modifications of our systems of public and private education which will more nearly fit the next generation to live in this world in right relations with their neighbors?

It is not our function to set up machinery to operate the affairs of nations. We are a bit weary of machinery and its worship. We are skeptical of laws, except laws like the so-called laws of science, which are attempts to phrase the existing verities.

I am very sure we did not come either to listen to, or furnish oratory. Generalities are not worth coming thousands of miles to hear, nor are platitudes interesting,-not even mine.

But our thoughts and those of our peoples need illumination. We need to see ourselves and our deeds as we are seen. We are here to direct our minds to constructive thinking on the problems before us. We have stood by the sea shore and watched the waves on the incoming tide as they wash up on the sand at our feet. Finally one greater than its fellows runs far up on the beach, and receding leaves a wave mark which will register the maximum of that tide. May we not hope that in the stimulating environment of this Institute we may register the high wave mark of wisdom in the human relations of the Pacific?

But it may be said that the white light of truth is a cold light and that comparatively few men are guided by reason. The springs of action and of conduct lie in the emotions. Men's feelings must somehow be reached.

We must deal with men's fears, chiefly fears of the unknown. There is something akin to the fear of the dark in the sense of impending disaster which seems to possess men when they observe the rise to power of some neighbor, whether the power be that of arms, of commerce or of mere numbers. In this morbid soil it is easy for sinister growths to flourish.

Selfishness must always be contended with. It is so astonishingly easy to find excellent reasons why one should have the things he desires. Some of the reasons may be couched in quite noble terms, and altruism with profit is a comfortable emotion. Bare and ruthless greed can be recognized and dealt with, but the more subtle and rationalized forms may be equally dangerous.

Vanity and boasting, those solaces of small minds, can masquerade as patriotism and sow seeds of discord. The indulgence in unleashed bitterness gives a positive thrill of pleasure if one feels that in hating those who may threaten the security or greatness of his country he is proving himself to be a real patriot.

Our task is to find the forces which can control these malignant growths in the minds of men and can turn them to right feelings. The pas

sion for justice and fair dealing and for generosity and friendship, spontaneous good-will, a frank recognition of excellence in other people, a working optimism,-these are necessary if we are to attain the ideal which we have set before us. The practical man sees the discipline and guidance of the emotions as the field of religion. It is a sobering, not to say humiliating commentary on humanity that the phase of human life which should lead us to all that is noble, has so frequently brought us to conflict. It points to the master power of preconceived ideas and of feelings in directing the lives of men. It is worth while for us to pause and with an open mind examine our religions. Perhaps in their purity they will lead us to unity of motive and a common aspiration. The things which set us in contemptuous misunderstanding may prove to be the overlay of human crudity and passions. Certainly an instrument as potent as religion should be used to guide men toward righteousness and unselfishness. I say, therefore, that it is our business here to enquire into these deep and often hidden currents of the lives of our peoples that we may rightly apprehend them and direct their incalculable power toward constructive ends.

The plan of having this Institute has not been received with unmixed approval. There have been those who thought that we proposed to play with fire. It takes a large measure of grace for men of different races to talk to each other frankly about the things on which they disagree and the situations in which they feel that they have been wronged. Some have felt that we would be more than human if we attained to that measure of disinterestedness. I think we can, and will. We are to deal with concrete and delicate situations. They are the ones which need to be understood and dealt with. We shall not hesitate to state them and discuss them. This can only be done if we approach them and each other in the right spirit.

We shall need humility. The race from which I spring can find grounds. for self congratulation. We have not seldom found them, and even mentioned the facts in public. There are some more unlovely things that we do not mention, and in fact but dimly realize. It does not contribute to our self esteem to know that these faults may seem our most prominent characteristics to others and we are quick in resentment when other people point them out. Similar things may, perhaps, be said of you of other races. And so, I say, we shall have need of a humble spirit. This is not the place for the parade of national or racial pride.

We must combine courage with friendliness. We shall smile to one another and be unafraid. We shall need courage to seek the truth and to face the facts, we may even need the courage to be misunderstood by our own people.