more powerfully scented perfumes obtained by the Indians from tauranero (Humirium floribundum), which surpasses the odor of vanilla. The Indians regard this tree as one of the most important ones in the forest, because its resinous wood is much used by them for such purposes as kindling of fire, the making of torches, and to scent the oils with which they anoint their bodies.

The bastard cedar grows very plentifully along the Essequibo River in British Guiana in the loose, sandy soil, where it attains an average height of about 50 feet and from 1 to 2 feet in diameter. Logs can be obtained 20 feet long and from 10 to 12 inches square free from sap. The wood is pale yellow, or sometimes nearly white, moderately soft, light in weight (about 32 pounds per cubic foot), not strong, though fairly tough, and not very durable in contact with the soil. It works well and does not warp or crack in drying. The wood has a strong aromatic odor and should find use in the manufacture of boxes, wardrobes, book shelves, and models.

Brazilian elemi, called breo branco, is used throughout the Amazon Valley for calking the seams in ships. It is produced by various species of Icica and Protium. The native name for the true elemi gum is icicaritari to distinguish it from yutahi-icica or copal produced by the species of Hymenæa or Peltogyne. Dr. Richard Spruce in his "Notes of a Botanist on the Amazon and Andes" gives us the following information:

When the bark of the Icica is wounded, a white milk flows slowly out and coagulates just below the wound, which does not heal up quickly as in most milky trees, but continues to distill for several months or even years. The Indians, therefore, when they come across these trees in the forest, gash them with their terçados, in order that, when they visit them sometime afterward, they may find a good lump of resin accumulated. Breo branco is brought to market, either in its crude state, packed in baskets lined with leaves, when it is called breo virgem, or in thick cylinders, having been run into molds of that shape. It is whitish, friable, and exhales a strong agreeable odor. When melted and spread out over a plank or seam it dries rapidly, and unless a good quantity of grease has been mixed with it in the melting it breaks away; but if that precaution has been taken it adheres very tenaciously, and keeps out the water much better than the black pitch or Panani, which is obtained from a clusiaceous tree.

Gum elemi is employed largely in the arts, and it is believed that after it becomes better known in this country a good use can be made of it in the manufacture of varnishes, soaps, felting and particularly in the making of printers' ink, in which its honey-like consistence and adhesive character are peculiarly useful. However, a series of experiments will be necessary in order to determine its real value. One of the chief uses in the region of its growth is as a stimulant ointment for indolent ulcers, but the regular practitioners seldom prescribe it. It is generally found in the medicine chest kept on board sailing ships in tropical America, and is also used locally for incense and for torches, and for this reason some of the trees yielding elemi gum are called torch wood.

T

LUNCHEON IN HONOR OF THE PERUVIAN AMBASSADOR.

HE Pan American Society of the United States gave a luncheon May 20 at the Hotel Astor, New York, the guest of honor on the occasion being Dr. Francisco Tudela y Varela, the ambassador of Peru to the United States. Dr. John Bassett Moore, president of the society, in introducing his excellency, spoke in part as follows:

In our international annals the name Peru is associated with a long and unbroken friendship. The record of this friendship is found both in the diplomatic correspondence between the two countries and also in their treaty stipulations, which have been characterized by mutual confidence and reciprocal liberality. The treaty of commerce of 1851, which has served as a model for subsequent conventional arrangements between the two countries, incorporated the most-favored-nation principle. Adopting as its standard the rule that had come to prevail among nations professing to be civilized, it forbade the confiscation of private debts or private property. Furthermore it provided that, if a charge of violation of its terms should be made, neither party should resort to any act of reprisal or of war without having first sought satisfaction of its complaints by statements verified by competent proofs. In harmony with this stipulation we find that where differences have arisen they have been settled by impartial arbitration, of which we trace in the intercourse between the two countries numerous examples. In one case, relating to the seizure of the vessels Georgiana and Lizzie Thompson, the United States, having become convinced that the claim was not well founded, withdrew it from the arbitrator and renounced it. I particularly advert to this fact because several years ago I read, in a learned and laborious source of misinformation called an encyclopedia, the statement that Peru had eventually yielded to the representations of the United States and paid the claim,

Reviewing the relations between our two countries, I venture to say that the spirit which has pervaded them is most happily exemplified in the character and the career of the guest of the day. I have spoken of the antiquity of his country; and we may readily believe that among the treasures which it holds none is more cherished than the ancient institution, the first of its kind in America, the University of San Marcos, founded by Charles V. Of this renowned seat of learning his excellency is an alumnus. Setting out in public life in the diplomatic service, he has in the course of his brilliant career filled with ability and distinction numerous high positions both in the legislative and in the administrative branch of the Government. Repeatedly elected a member of the chamber of deputies, he became the presiding officer of that body. He has thrice been a member of the cabinet-once as minister of finance and twice as minister for foreign affairs. His appointment as the first Peruvian ambassador to the United States may justly be regarded not only as the reward of eminent and useful public service but also as a manifestation of the respect and good will of the Government and the people of Peru toward the Government and people of the United States. I ask you to rise to the health of His Excellency Dr. Francisco Tudela y Varela, whom we delight to honor both as a man and as the accomplished representative of our sister Republic of Peru.

Ambassador Tudela responded in part as follows:

The Pan Americanism which was proclaimed at the congress of Washington in 1890 was, in fact, principally based on the doctrines which are to-day rising luminous, an outcome of the World War. Such are the disapproval of the principle of conquest, the favoring of reciprocal guaranties of territorial integrity, and the establishment of compulsory arbitration for the solving of differences between nations.

The World War has proved that progress which is attained in defiance of these fundamental principles is as ephemeral as the incredible progress achieved by Prussia. That which is achieved by might can endure only so long as it is sustained by might. Right born of justice is alone immutable and eternal.

Nations which, like Peru, have always invoked these doctrines and which witnessed the struggles undertaken to achieve these ideals, from the time when, in 1824, its Government, then headed by Bolivar, initiated the congress of Panama, and later those of Lima in 1848 and 1865-such countries are to-day experiencing the greatest satisfaction at the coming of this new juridical era for humanity.

Peru considers with sincere gratification the decisive part which has fallen to the United States in the process of world reconstruction. The fruitful American blood which flowed in 1776 in the cause of political liberty, and again in 1861 for the civil rights of man, has once more been shed in this titanic struggle for the international liberty of peoples founded on justice.

My country especially appreciates the generous and disinterested attitude of the United States, because the annals of its history contain positive proof of the altruistic policy of America. In addition to the circumstances you have so accurately just quoted, others of equal importance deserve to be mentioned, which confirm the friendly spirit which has animated the relations between Peru and the United States. Peru has not forgotten the incident of the Lobos Islands, the ownership of which was discussed by the United States Government in 1852—an incident which ended in the declaration of the Secretary of State, Everett, on the 16th of November of that year, that "he could find no motive why the legitimate sovereignty of Peru over those islands should be questioned," and that "the United States hastened to make this recognition in consequence of the unintentional injustice done to Peru, owing to the momentary absence of information illustrating the question." These pages of diplomatic history are a glowing tribute to the high-minded and disinterested sense of justice which animated the statesmen of that day and governed their actions.

None may question the authority with which the United States to-day addresses the world, since this authority springs from the most evident impartiality and from the clearest sense of the duty which destiny has conferred on this great democracy; and still less can that authority be disputed on this continent, in which has prevailed an ardent desire for a juridical organization ever since its different entities acquired their political independence.

Pan Americanism will become a reality when that organization shall likewise have acquired recognition and justice be the immovable foundation of the prosperity and wealth of its nationalities. Pan Americanism must therefore undertake to-day, with greater vigor than ever before, the defense of the high ideals which gave it birth, and which, within the larger universal constitution of nations, or parallel with it, shall determine the recognition of those juridical principles without which neither a lasting peace nor wealth nor progress worthy of the name can command respect.

Let us therefore raise our glasses, gentlemen, to the not far distant happy future of the America of Colon, to the Pan American Society, whose aims deserve the most enthusiastic applause, and to this great Republic, which has known how to astonish the world, both by her stupendous material progress and by the sacrifice entailed through her noble and generous efforts to achieve the moral regeneration and juridical advancement of nations

BUSINESS TRAINING FOR ENGINEERS.

On June 23 and 24 an important conference on business training for engineers and engineering training for students of business was held at Washington, D. C. The conference was called by Dr. P. P. Claxton, United States Commissioner of Education, and was attended by many prominent members of engineering societies and representatives of various educational institutions of the United States. Among the prominent speakers who made addresses at the several meetings were Hon. P. P. Claxton, United States Commissioner of Education; Dr. Anson Marston, dean of the division of engineering of Iowa State College; Mr. Spencer Miller, vice president American Society of Mechanical Engineers; Mr. Edward N. Hurley, chairman United States Shipping Board; Dr. Walter Rautenstrauch, professor of mechanical engineering at Columbia University, New York; Mr. E. F. Dubrul, president of the Pyro Clay Products Co., of Cincinnati, Ohio; Maj. Gen. W. M. Black, Chief of Engineers, United States Army; Maj. Gen. John F. O'Ryan, United States Army; Dr. Charles R. Mann, chairman advisory board, committee on education and special training, United States War Department; Mr. Angus W. McLean, director of the War Finance Corporation, Washington, D. C.; Mr. Fred Lavis, consulting engineer American International Corporation, New York; Mr. W. W. Nichols, chairman committee on education, American Manufacturers' Export Association; Dr. J. W. Jenks, and others. At the final session of the conference the following resolutions, prepared by Dr. Glen Levin Swiggett, specialist in commercial education, were unanimously adopted:

It is the sense of the meeting that—

1. Industrial and commercial development has created a demand for men with technical engineering training and business ability. Manufacturing industries are seeking engineers to qualify to serve in capacities requiring sound business training. Banks and brokers also need men with business training and the engineering point of view. This need is rapidly increasing and bids fair to demand a large number of technically trained men for both domestic and foreign commerce.

2. In order to meet this demand the economic phases of engineering subjects should be emphasized wherever possible in engineering instruction. This may be done by emphasizing the problems of values and costs in the regular technical work and by introducing or extending courses in general economics, cost accounting, business organization and business law into the engineering curricula. These courses should be designed particularly to meet the needs of the engineering student.

3. The engineering phases of economic subjects should be emphasized wherever possible in commercial instruction. Students in commercial courses should also be given opportunity to take special courses in the basic principles and practices of engineering, so that they may understand in general terms the operation of power plants and transportation systems from the engineering point of view.

4. It is also urged upon all institutions with departments in engineering and economics or commerce that they consider some plan of coordination to develop a course in preparation for those careers wherein practical training in modern languages, in the essentials of engineering, and business theory and practice have been found to be both helpful and necessary.

A COMMENDABLE PLAN.

The American Association of Teachers of Spanish has evinced a genuine interest in the establishment and maintenance of closer relations between the United States and Spanish-speaking countries. With this aim in view, the association appointed a committee of 10 members, with Mr. C. F. McHale, professor of Spanish of the National City Bank, as chairman. This committee is endeavoring to create scholarships in Spanish-speaking countries for North American young men.

It is the opinion of the members of the committee that one of the practical ways to attain the above-mentioned end would be to aim at the provision of positions for North American young men in commercial houses of Spanish-speaking countries or in commercial houses of the United States that have branches abroad. This plan would afford a practical means of disclosing to other countries the good elements that the United States possess and of contributing in this manner to be a better understanding between nations.

For the present the committee is limiting its activities to a publicity campaign to ascertain exactly what attitude the business world will assume toward this plan. When it is definitely known what sources of assistance can be depended upon, the committee will be in a position to decide upon details, such as the number of young men to be sent abroad, countries to which they are to be assigned, length of their stay in these countries, etc.

It is to be hoped that the large exporting houses, banks, chambers of commerce, and all institutions interested in the development of the foreign trade of the United States will cooperate with the committee and will thus facilitate the realization of so praiseworthy an undertaking.

The committee will welcome any suggestions that may be offered, and communications may be addressed to Mr. C. F. McHale, Spanish instructor of the National City Bank of New York, 35 Wall Street, New York.