WASHINGTON DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 46, 23 February 1929, Page 9

WASHINGTON DAY.

AMERICA CELEBRATES

Great Link In Anglo-American

Friendship

BRITISH TRIBUTE

(Australian Press Assn.—United Service.)

(Received 10.30 a.m.)

WASHINGTON, February 22

Praising the Kellogg Treaty as an instrument that must weigh heavily in the balancc for the cause of peace, Sir Esme Howard, the British Ambassador, declared on Friday that George Washington must eventually prove the greatest link in the chain of friendship and common understanding between the United States and Britain.

Tlio Ambassador spoke at the commemoration of George V\'ashiugton s birthday, before the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Sons of the American Revolution and the Society of Children of the American Revolution.

He deplored any spirit of enmity, criticising those on both sides of the Atlantic who "enjoy stirring up trouble, whose Hps distill gall and wormwood, and whoso pens are dipped in vitriol.''

AMERICA'S RELATIONS

STABILISING EFFECT

(Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) WASHINGTON, February 22.

The President, Mr. Coolidge, in the course of a speech delivered in connection with the celebration of the anniversary of the birth of Washington, said: "It is possible to say of our foreign relations at the present time that they have rarely been in a happier condition.

"Our citizens, of course, meet citizens of other countries in commercial rivalry in the market placcs of the world. That will always continue. It is the natural and inevitable result of foreign trade. But it does not raise any issue between our Government and other Governments.

"Wo believe in a policy of national defence and we maintain an army and a navy for that purpose. Other countries havo similar military establishments. Wo are committed to the principle of the limitation of armaments. Other great Powers, through the public opinion of their people and the binding obligations of their treaties, aro more firmly committed to this principle than we arc. It docs not raise any issues between us."

After giving a warning against paying too serious attention to statements made in America and other countries in the heat of political campaigns, Mr. Coolidge stressed the friendly relationship existing between various Governments and the United States. "The people and the Press should be friendly. While we are not associated with any particular foreign group, in the last analysis they all know that they can apply to us' when in need of our friendly offices. We do not keep our isolation for its own effect, or in order to avoid responsibilities. "But wo cherish our position of unprejudieal detachment, because through that means we can best meet our world obligations." Referring to Washington, Mr. Coolidge said: "The people of England feel that even in the defeat of their arms abroad ho carried their ideals to victory at home."