Evening star., 1909-02-18
HE EXTENDS WELCOME
Important Step Toward Co-Opera-
ton Between Nations of Earth
FOREsEEs WORLDWIDE UPLIFT
Group Photograph Taken-Meeting
Held in State epartment-Gif-
ford Pinchot Speaks.

and Mexico representatives of these gov
ernments, in addition to many leaders III
the conservation movement in this coun-
ty, gathered here today in attendance upon
the North American conservation confer
enoe.
The delegates to the conference, which
was called by President Roosevelt, as
sembled in the east room of the White
House, where they were received by Mr..
Roosevelt preliminary TO holding "A two
day session at the State Department.
The members of President Roosevelt 5
ca binet and of the national conservation
commission also were present.
The commissioners from Canada and
Mexico were presented to the President
by Secretary of State Bacon, after which
an address was made by MIR. Roosevelt
Presidents Address.
After extending on behalf of the Ameri-
can people his heartiest welcome, the
President declared that nothing ausured
better for the development of the entire
continent than this conference.
Il feel said the President, that this
conference is one of the important steps
that have been taken OF recent years
looking toward the harmonious co-opera-
ton between the nations of the earth for
the common advancement of all.
In international relations l think
that the great feature of the growth OF
the last century has been the mutual rec
ognition of the fact that instead of it
being normally to the interest of one ma :
ton to see another depressed, it is nor
mally to the interest of each nation to
see the others upifted. | believe that
the movement which you initiate is of the
utmost Importance to this hemisphere
and may be of the utmost Importance to
the world at large.
II am anxious" said the President, ito
do all in my power to work in harmony
for the common good of all instead of
each working to get something at the
expense of the other. Ultimately. each
of us will profit immeasuraoly if instead
of striving to advance by trampling down
the other each strives to advance to-
gether for the common advancement.
Photograph Is Taken.
With the President. the delegates and
guests repaired to the north por leo of the
White House. There group photograph
was taken.
The conferees then proceeded to the
diplomatic room of the State Department.
There a brief address of welcome was
made by Clifford Pinchot, chairman of
the American delegation.
Then followed responses by the visiting
commissioners and remarks by members of
the cabinet and others.
Secretary Wilson Speaks.
Secretary Wilson told something of the
work being done by the Department of
Agriculture along conservative lines. He
spoke of the Importance of the fight
against the boil weevil in the cotton
states along the border, and predicted
that the time would come when the boil
weevil would be only memory.
Senator Smoot spoke on behalf of the
legislative branch of the government, and
said that the direct result of the confer
ence will be to teach the people of MeXi-
CO that they should not waste their for
ests in the manner that Americans have
wasted theirs
Mr.. Pack of New Jersey. representing
the National Manufacturers Association
said that Canada has a greater proportion
of forests remaining than the United
States because of better laws and OF bet
ter administration of the laws.
Aliens Praise Roosevelt.
Mr. Fisher of the Canadian delegation
said his country had watched with the
greatest interest and the closest atten-
ton the conservation movement IN the
United States. and also said that the
Canadians could learn much from Ameri-
cans. He gave president Roost Welt
much praise, saying the keynote of high
constructive craftsmanship had been
| struck when he spoke of the concerted
action necessary on the part OF all ma
tons III regard 10 conservation OF re-
sources
Mr. Sellerier Of the Mexican delega-
ton spoke in Spanish He said That. III
the minds OF his countrymeII, the conser-
walton question is vital, and that it is
proper for The United States to take
the lead, il is the nation richest in
natural resources.
Senator NeWlands expressed the con-
I IA
u constantly increasing momentum and
that appropriate legislation would result
from il.
Mr. Escobar of Mexico said the idea
advanced by President Roosevelt that
| the whole of North America should unite
to conserve the natural wealth of The
continent would live long after the Pres
ident has left the White House. He said
that i'm Mexico the proposition had been
enthusiastically received not only by
President DiaZ and the officials OF the
government, but by the people we'll
Clifford Sifton. chairman of the Canadian
delegation, said the movement would
have practical and permanent results in
his country.
President Roosevelt will tomorrow en-
tertain the delegates at luncheon. In the
evening they will be entertained a; din
ner by Secretary Bacon. Saturday even
ing they Will he the guests Of Clifford Pm
chot chairman of the national conserva-
ton commission of this country. and one
OF the delegates TO the conference.
The delegates are:
Secretary Bacon. Secretary Garfield and
Clifford Pinchot, representing the United
States.
sydney Fisher, minister of agriculture
| of Canada Clifford Sifton. eN-minister of
| the interior. and DIR. Henry ). Bcland,
/ representing Canada.
Romuia EscoSar, Manuel a. de Quesada,
/ minister of forestry, and Carlos Solterier,
representing Mexico.
| Thomas K. Shipp is secretary of the
conference.
| Present at Ceremony.
| Invited to be present al the ceremony