AMERICAN POLICY

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, 10 April 1926, Page 5

AMERICAN POLICY

“REFRAIN FROM INTERFERENCE" BUT SUPPORT THT, WORLD COURT MOST PRACTICAL METHOD By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Reuter’s ’’■'-ram. (Reoeived April 9, 6.5 p.m) WASHINGTON, April 8. With President Coolidge as the principal speaker, the first pan-Ameri-can Congress of Journalists embarked on Thursday upon the study of the various problems confronting the Press. Twenty-one republics are represented, with a view to working for a better understanding among their nations. " In laying the cornerstone of the building which is to be erected here, for the National Press Club, at a cost of 10,000,000 dollars, the President referred to the country’s Press as “one of the cornerstones of liberty.” Discussing the League* of Nations, President Coolidge said the United States had refused to adhere to tha£ organisation because it wished to refrain from interfering in the political affairs of others.” “It will he of great benefit if the people can be informed that we take part in administering international justice because it affects us,” he added. “We don’t become involved in the political controversies of other countries, because they are none of our affairs.” Referring to the recent adherence with reservations, of the United States to the World Court,.the President said: “Our Government has taken r this step because it believes it was the most practical ✓method by which it could exercise its great _ influence in establishing the principle of the reign of international law, un-

der which disputes and difference* would be adjusted not by force, but by reason.”