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General Carlos P. Romulo, of the Philippines, the President of the fourth session, expressed the hope that this might be known as the " Peace Assembly," stating his belief that this session coincided with a turning point in international relations, arid urging the Assembly to move boldly in the direction of peaceful settlement. Thirty-five members, most of them leaders of delegations, and several Foreign Ministers, spoke in the general debate which ended on 26 September. Restrained optimism was the dominant note, and the speech of Mr Dean Acheson, United States Secretary of State, was notable for its firm but conciliatory nature. The representatives of the Eastern European Powers, however, used the occasion to announce their theme for the session—denunciation of the Western Powers and condemnation of their " aggressive plans." Many delegations, including the United States, and in particular the representatives of underdeveloped countries, emphasized the need for a successful programme of technical assistance for economic development. The speech made by Sir Carl Berendsen, Chairman of the New Zealand delegation, is annexed to this report. . . . VI. HEADQUARTERS CORNER-STONE CEREMONY On 24 October, United Nations Day, the corner-stone of the United Nations permanent headquarters was laid. The ceremony took place at an open-air plenary meeting of the General Assembly on the site of the headquarters building at 42nd Street and Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive in New York City. General Romulo, opening this plenary meeting, paid tribute to the contribution which America and Americans had made to the United Nations, from the inspiration of President Roosevelt to the generosity of of John D. Rockefeller and of the United States Congress in granting the necessary loan without interest. The President of the United States called the. laying of the cornerstone an act of faith —" our unshakeable faith that the United Nations will succeed in accomplishing the great tasks for which it was created." He spoke of the United Nations as the dynamic expression of the wishes •of the people of'the world, and expressed the special pride of the people of the United States that the headquarters should be located in their country ; at the same time, he remarked that he considered it appropriate that the United Nations should hold meetings from time to time in other ■countries. Mr Truman made special mention of the United Nations programme for technical assistance to under-developed countries, and reaffirmed that a major objective of United States policy was the establishment of a system of international control of atomic energy.