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 CONVENTION
MESSAGE [1940
Havana]
By
PAUL P. HARRIS, President Emeritus of Rotary International
Chicago, Illinois, U. S. A.
To
my friends in attendance at the Havana convention, Greetings: Of
all of the conventions held during recent years, this will
perhaps be the least international in point of attendance. The
loyalty of European Rotarians is no less marked than heretofore;
it is merely that it is physically impossible for them to be
with us. God grant that our dear friends soon experience relief
from their anxieties and the termination of hostilities be not
far distant.
As
the great majority must necessarily be drawn from the Western
Hemisphere, it may be appropriate to study our fourth object
largely from a Western Hemisphere viewpoint.
How can Rotarians of the neutral countries of the Western
Hemisphere serve the cause of international understanding and
good will? Let us always keep in mind the fact that the fourth
object is not to find ways of promoting war but, on the
contrary, to find ways of promoting peace.
While Rotary's efforts to promote the brotherhood of men may, in
the light of current events and in the light of history, seem to
many nothing more than an empty dream, the concept must have
seemed even more Utopian when first promulgated by the immortal
"ploughboy poet," Robert Burns.
Rotary has in fact made of itself a miniature model of a world
at peace. All great projects must first have their miniature
models. This holds good in the project of a world peace. To
create a world‑wide fellowship out of sixty different elements,
each with its numerous religious and political subdivisions,
would in the beginning have seemed like an idle dream, but while
Rotary is and always has been idealistic, thus far at least, its
idealism has proven to be practical. The best way to prove that
a miracle can be performed is to perform the miracle. Rotary has
performed its miracle. Rotary has actually become part of the
civic life of sixty nations. Rotary stands; though the tempest
rage about ‑ Rotary still stands. Why and how? Because it is
grounded not on fear, rivalry, and suspicion, but on the eternal
and indestructible rocks of friendliness, tolerance, and
usefulness. I do not want to be dogmatic and yet there are
occasions when nothing short of a dogmatic statement will
express the full truth. I have no hesitation in saying that
world peace could be achieved and made permanent if reared on
Rotary's firm foundation of friendliness, tolerance, and
usefulness.
How to rear such structure in the face of international
lawlessness, though a more serious question, is one which will
eventually be solved.
What, if any, special responsibility lies on the shoulders of
the neutral countries of the Western Hemisphere? Must they join
in the general melee? Will warring nations lead us into war, or
may we lead them into peace?
I
believe that there are at least a few thoughts which might prove
helpful.
Among other things, if we would be realistic, we may well keep
in mind the fact that the developments in Europe are not new and
unprecedented, nor is the shock on the nerves of the American
people without precedent.
Napoleon ravaged the countries of Europe, crossing the Alps and
demolishing the cathedrals and art centers of Italy, crossing
Germany to wage war against Austria and Russia, violating the
integrity of Spain and so terrorizing King John of Portugal that
he fled to Brazil in the Western Hemisphere and set up court in
that country.
The fear that the European conflagration might spread to the
Western Hemisphere was responsible for the promulgation of the
Monroe Doctrine. If we would be realists, we must view
present‑day developments, not as isolated matters, but rather as
a chapter only in the long history of world affairs.
If
we would be realists (and we must be, if we would play effective
part) we must remember that we are living in a predatory world,
that our own beloved countries have been no exceptions; that we
are not in position to cast the first stone.
What then can the neutral countries of the New World, who have
profited so much from their own lawlessness, do to assist in
establishing all order based on law and justice? It is
unthinkable to divide our plunder with those who have acquired
less than we. New generations have arisen, and those whom we
despoiled have been long dead.
To
begin with, it might be well for us who enjoy the blessings of
peace, to reflect on the fact that it was a benevolent Creator,
not we, who created the fertile fields of which we took
possession, and claimed as exclusively our own. God has
permitted us to stake out claims far beyond our proportionate
shares of the earth's surface. What, if any, are the
responsibilities involved? The least, and perhaps the most,
would seem to be a high sense of trusteeship, a willingness to
use our vast resources with kindly regard to the legitimate
needs of all.
The World Brotherhood concept is not visionary beyond acceptance
of reasoning men; the concept of effecting world peace through
force of arms is visionary, as has been demonstrated again and
again.
All of the members of the family of nations have a stake in the
preservation of peace. There is a common heritage through slow
accumulation of the ages. All nations have contributed and still
continue to contribute to the fund. The works of Shakespeare,
Newton, Dante, Cervantes, Wagner, Ehrlich, Koch, Raphael,
Pasteur, Lincoln, Edison, and others beyond number belong to no
one nation; they are of the common heritage.
Life in the Americas has been immeasurably sweetened and blessed
by the constructive efforts of sons of each and every one of the
now belligerent nations, and none is sufficiently remote from
the conflict to escape tragic loss.
What can the neutral countries of the Western Hemisphere do to
pay the debt they owe to past generations and to justify their
trusteeship of natural resources beyond appraisal?
In
their international relationships they can make use of the
simple but effective Rotary formula of "Friendliness, Tolerance
and Usefulness." In such Spirit they can shape their tariff
structures with tender regard for the needs of others, while at
the same time caring for the needs of their own citizens.
Exports are not always a blessing, imports not always a curse.
Favorable balances of trade had meaning when we were a debtor
nation but an equalization of exports and imports will serve
better now. We don't need to siphon all the gold of the world
into that deep hole in Kentucky. They can offer citizenship to
further millions from congested areas who heretofore have never
known what it is to own an acre of land.
And last but not least, they can be good Samaritans as well as
good neighbors.
I
hear some one inquire, "Where is the money for all of this to
come from?" I will make answer: Most of the expense will be
self‑liquidating and some will pay rich dividends. Who could
estimate the value of the immigrants to the American countries?
One frequently hears my own country spoken of as the most
powerful nation; if that statement be true, I am sure that the
somewhat dubious honor came unsought; that the American people
are content with their time‑honored position of one among many
nations of the world. Such a statement should give rise to
anxiety, not exultation.
Are the countries of the Western Hemisphere prepared in mind and
spirit to accept the responsibilities of leadership in the
establishment of a new order‑an order based on Friendliness,
Tolerance and Usefulness ‑ in other words on the Rotary plan?
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