DESIRE FOR PEACE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 17 January 1928, Page 5

DESIRE FOR PEACE

PAN-AMERICAN CONFERENCE PRESIDENT COOLIDGE'S SPEECH (By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association) HAVANA, 17th January. President Coolidge addressed the PanAmerican Confeience. Ho paid a tribute to tho inherent desire for peace manifested by tho American republics and tho absence of large military establishments from the New World. H°, declared that they all adopted a spirit of accommodation, ■ goodwill, confidence, mutual helpfulness, and consultation.- Mr Coolidge said: "With each succeeding conference the agreement for the orderly settlement of such differences as may arise between the American republics has been extended and strengthened, thus making their relationship more ceTtain and more secure."

PRESIDENT ON FOREIGN SOIL

HAVANA, 16th January., For the first time in his life President Coolidge set foot on foreign soil when ho arrived in the battleship Texas. Great crowds received the President enthusiastically. He attended the Pan-American Conference to-day, and afterwards he attends several functions organised in his honour. He leaves on* return to the United States on Tuesday morning.

MR COOLIDGE'S SPEECH

(A.P.A. and "Sun")

(Received 17th Jan., 8.25 a.m.) HAVANA,. 16th Jan. Journeying outside his homeland for the.first time since be became. President, Mr Co'olidge in a speech keyed to» the note of international confidence, helpfulness and good will, opened'the sixth Pan-American Congress to-day by urging nations in the western hemisphere to join, in tho task of assuring all it's people the freedom Columbus bequeathed to them in equal measure.' Without mentioning the League of Nations or the Monroe Doctrine, he assured the congress that the Pan-American 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 tlie various 1 units of the American family of States closer and in more permanent, harmony. There was rj6 intention Mn that horiiisphero by any nation of building up a great military establishment to overawe and subjugate neighbours. He enunciated tihe doctrine that "all nations in the hemisphere are determined to adjust their differences, not by resorfyto force, but by the application of the principles of justice and equity."

VEILED TERMS

' (Received 17th Jan., 10.40 a.m.) j HAVANA, 16th Jan. Mr Coolidge and Mr McAdoo joined in advocating a policy of mutual goodwill and respect for American nations in their speeches at' the opening of tlie Pan-American Conference.. They disclosed in somewhat .veiled * terms their respective views of the Latin American nations and the United States regarding the destiny of the western hemisphere. Mr 'McAdoo took occasion to stress Culm's complete independence.