FRIENDS WITH ALL

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 23 February 1929, Page 5

FRIENDS WITH ALL

AMERICA’S HAPPY POSITION POLICY OF DETACHMENT. BEST TO MEET OBLIGATIONS. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.) WASHINGTON, Feb. 21. “It is .possible to say of our foreign reflation® at the present time that they have rarely been in a happier condition,”. said 'President Coolidge in the course of his George Washington birthday speech. “Ouir citizens, of course, meet the citizens of other countries in commercial! rivalry in the market places of the world —that will always continue, for it is the natural and inevitable resnflt of foreign trade, but it doe® not raise ainy issue between our Government and l other Governments. “We 'believe in a policy of national defence and we maintain an army and navy for that purpose. Other countries have similar military establishments. We are committed to the principle of the limitation of armaments, and the other great Powers, through the public opinion of their people and the binding obligations of their treaties, are more firmly committed to' this principle than we are, but it does not raise any issue between Us.”

Giving a.warning against too' serious attention being given to statements made din the United' States and other countries in the heat of political campaigns, President Coolidge stressed the friendly relationship existing between the various' Governments and the United States. He added: “The people and: the Pi-ess should be friendly. While we are not associated with any particular foreign group, in the last analysis they all know they can apply to u. 3 when in need' of friendly offices. We da not keep our isolation for its own effect on in order to avoid responsibilities, but we cherish our position of unprejudiced detaohmtent because through that means we can best meet our world' obligations.” Referring to George Washington, President Codidge said the people of England felt that even in the defeat of their arms abroad he carried their ideals to victory at home.