Leo S. Rowe

HELIO LOBO

Minister Plenipotentiary of Brazil

THE death of Leo S. Rowe was a great loss to the cause of inter-American understanding. Rowe had a long and brilliant experience in dealing with the problems of the hemisphere and, what was also essential, the intelligence necessary for the consideration and solution of those problems.

One of the causes of a certain failure on the part of the United States to understand the rest of the continent is that it is guided by its own mentality although everything is different below the Rio Grande.

Leo S. Rowe saw us with our own eyes, as we are and not as we ought to be. This was the secret of his success in the delicate mission that was entrusted to him for so long a time.

His humble companion for many years at meetings in Rio de Janeiro, in Washington, and at continental conferences we both attended, I always found in him the admirable qualities of his fellow citizens, enriched by his experience in working with the people of the other New World countries.

When the history of Pan Americanism is written, his tactful, persevering, modest, and fruitful labors will stand out. I bow before his grave, sorrowing for the loss of a perfect friend and a Citizen of the Americas whom we all trusted.

THE unexpected and tragic death of Dr. Leo S. Rowe, Director of the Pan American Union, has brought grief to the whole continent, as there is not one country in this hemisphere that did not benefit from his kind, intelligent, and selfless labors. An apostle of Pan Americanism, he dedicated his whole life to it, as a writer and as a public official, with unwavering faith, and neither the overwhelming quantity of work nor his advancing years diminished his enthusiasm. He attended all the conferences of American States over a long period, always offering to those assemblies the assistance of his vast knowledge and experience in finding the best and wisest solution to the problems under consideration. At these conferences he showed his tact and his natural kindliness, which were the best and the most outstanding traits of his vigorous personality. He used these traits to draw people together and lead them toward the goal for which he was

always striving: cooperation and solidarity among the peoples of America.

The affection that his noble and frank nature inspired in all who came in contact with him, either in the social world or in the course of the multiple and complex activities of the Pan American Union, was an important factor in the success that always crowned his efforts. The course that he wisely set for the Pan American Union as a coordinating center of inter-American relations was a praiseworthy contribution to American public law, the great importance of which is being revealed and accentuated as time goes by.

The name of Dr. Rowe will live in the memory of Americans as long as the New World continues to be inspired by the principles he supported and as long as it is confident that these principles will bring about the union and peace that will serve as a strong framework for the future of our nations.

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