AMERICA’S AIMS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 26 April 1927, Page 9

AMERICA’S AIMS

FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

POLICY OF GUARDIANSHIP. OUTLINED BY PRESIDENT. BY CABLE —PRESS ASSOCIATION—COP YRIGHT. Received 10 a.m. to-day. NEW YORK, April 25. President Coolidge addressed the twentieth anniversary dinner of the United .Press Association. He declared : “The policy of guardianship of lives, property and justice Avill be lolloAA-ed in Mexico, China, and Nicaragua. It has been stated there can be no arbitration in Mexico, but Mexico lias said she Avi.il not confiscate American property, and there is every reason to expect an amicable settlement of outstanding controversies by negotiation. “The marines in Nicaragua AvilL remain to prevent pillaging until such, time as the United States Government hel ieves that peace is restored. “The United States forces in Chinia contemplate no aggression against China, but Avill -safeguard the United States missionaries and business men. I am assured an adequate settlement of Avrongs Avill ultimately be made by the victors.” In his threefold defence against charges of imperialism levelled at the administration q-f the existing foreign policy, Mr. Coolidge laid doAvn the programme for the final two years of his GoA-emment, and the policy as far as foreign affairs are concerned upon Avhich lie expected to seek re-election in 1928. . Regarding China, Mr. Coolidge said, inter alia: “The country is undergoing a revolutionary convulsion, which bias broken it up into several parts, none of which Ave recognise. Our main difficulty here is the protection of the life and property of our citizens. We have many missionaries there and some commercial establishments, but Ave haA r e nothing in the Avay of concessions and Ave have never occupied any territory. Our citizens are being concentrated at ports Avhere AA-e dan protect and remove them. It is solely for this purpose that- our Avarships and marines are in that territory. The friendship of America for China has become proA'erbial, and Ave feel the deepest sympathy in these times of her distress. We have no disposition to do otherwise than assist and encourage every legitimate aspiration towards freedom and unity, the cultivation of national spirit, and the realisation of a republican 'form of government. In the turmoil and strife of the present- time, Ave realise fully the forces Avhich may be let loose and become temporarily beyond our poAver to control, and Avhich may do an injury to American nationals. Our forces iare in Chinese Avater-s to guard against such, an eventuality.”