There has been of late no end of talk about closer relations with South America, especially in connection with business opportunities. Thus far, however, even with the new conditions created by the war, the tangible trade results have not been up to expectations. The reason seems to lie in a widespread ignorance of South American customs, business methods, and trend of thought.

At bottom the only ground for mutual understanding must be intellectual; and to the failure to appreciate this fact must be attributed the slow growth of Pan-Americanism in the wider sense. Most Americans have never even considered the possibility of the existence of large and influential universities in the South. As Professor Lima says in an interview which the CRIMSON prints today, the intercourse of the southern universities has been almost exclusively with the institutions of Europe. America has gone her own way in ignorance of and indifference to the intellectual and economic growth of South America. Harvard has already led the way by the establishment of the chair on Latin American affairs which Professor Lima holds. She should go further and establish a permanent system of exchange professorships.

It is in this belief that the CRIMSON has obtained the interview with Professor Lima. It is encouraging to note his optimism in regard to feasibility of the plan. "The great universities of the other countries of the southern continent as well as the Faculties of Brazil, would be anxious to help, if the United States would send American professors in return." It would seem to be Harvard's move.