PAN-AMERICAN CONGRESS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19211, 18 January 1928, Page 9

PAN-AMERICAN CONGRESS.

MR COOLIDGE'S SPEECH,

(by cabls— pb«sb assocutiok— copybioht.) (australian and n.z- and Buh cabls.)

HAVANA, January 16.

Jomneying outside his homeland for the first time since he became President, Mr Coolidge, in a speech keyed to the note of international confidencß, helpfulness, and goodwill, opened the sixth Pan-American Congress to-day by urging the nations in the Western Hemisphere to join in the task of assuring all its people the freedom Christopher Columbus bequeathed them in equal measure. Without mentioning the League of Nations or the Monroe Doctrine, he assured the Congress that a Pan-Ameri-can union did not involve antagonism to any section of the world, or to any other organisation, but he declared that the American nations were committed to the principle that they are better fitted to govern themselves than anyone else is. The United States was prepared to encourage all peaceful pursuits tending to bring the various units of the American family of States closer in more permanent harmony. There was no intention in that hemisphere by any nation of building up a great military establishment to overawe and subjugate its neighbours. He enunciated the following doctrine: "All nations in this hemisphere are determined to adjust their differences not by resort to force, but by the application of the principles of justice and equity." President Coolidge and President Machado (Cuba) joined in advocating a policy of mutual goodwill and respect for American nations. They disclosed in somewhat veiled terms the respective views of the Latin-American nations and the United States regarding the destiny of the Western Hemisphere. President Machado took occasion to stress Cuba's complete independence.