More Than Gold?

"The Bantam Roosevelt of Peru" is a nickname sometimes applied to President Augusto B. Leguia, not in disparagement but as descriptive praise. Last fortnight the new U. S. Ambassador to Peru, famed Alexander Pollock Moore, onetime Ambassador to Spain (TIME, Dec. 28, 1925), was received at Lima by President Leguia, who said, in the course of a dynamic address:

"Never before have there existed such strong forces interested in dividing America, fomenting suspicions and raising the banner which encourages the legend of a Saxon imperialism and a Latin servitude. All this happens . . . because America is increasing its wealth and advancing its civilization while other countries are irremediably declining.

"Peru understands these things and has ever been faithful to the friendship uniting her with the United States. Ah, Senor Moore! Friendship, is it not worth more than gold?"