Evening star., 1922-12-04

from
sons and property, and the only means
for assuring a stable place abroad ana
an acceptable regime at home; In other
words, they realize that the only means
under the existing conditions OF civhza-
ton Of putting an end to perpetual rev.
olution is through federation"
Secretary Hughes Speech.
A hope that the conference Will
register a high and effective resolve
to put an end to strife which i'm
poverishes and to bring to naught all
attempts to foment mutual distrust'
was expressed by Secretary Hughes
in formally opening the conference.
The text Of his address follows:
ut is a high privilege to extend
to you, on behalf of the President
of the United States. most cordial
welcome.
Solicitous as you must be of the
dignity. rights and interests OF your
respective nations, your presence
here attests your appreciation or
community of interest and your sim
cere purpose to promote a common
welfare by assurances of mutual es-
TEEN and the establishment of the
essential conditions OF tranquility
and security.
Intense Desire to Aid.
You will find here the most friend
ly atmosphere, the helpful spirit of
cooperation and an intense desire to
aid you in the furtherance of your
own wishes for an abiding peace and
a constantly increasing prosperity
The government of the United States
has no ambition to crafty. at your
expense. no policy which runs counter
TO your national aspirations and no
purpose save to promote the interests
of peace and to assist you. in such
manner as you may welcome. to solve
your problems to your own proper
advantage.
1.-The interest of the United States
is found in the peace OF this hem!-
sphere and in the conservation of
your interests.
Decisive Forward Step.
The same desire which now ami
mates you prompted the Central
American peace conference of the
year 1907. The passing of the years.
the important changes recently
wrought the spectacle of the devas-
tating results of war have heightened
fundamental requisites of stability
and development.
Your purpose. manifested in your
cordial acceptance Of the invitation
of the government OF the United
States. is to build on foundations al
ready laid: to take account of chang
ed conditions. in order that you may
apply the wisdom of experience in
derisins improved methods.
II shall not attempt to review the
conference of 1907. Because all that
was hoped for was not attained in
practice: because all stipulations
then agreed upon have not been
found TO be effective. it's results
should not be deprecated. 1t was
decisive. forward step. The spirit
of cooperation which il fostered is
still dominant. despite all difficulties.
Meet on L. s. ship.
THE goal is still the same and YOU
are here today. more deeply con-
scious than ever of opportunity and
of the advantage of mutually helpful
relations. TO give new form ana sub
stance TO a united effort for Central
American progress.
"In August last a meeting of great
promise and Importance was held by
the presidents of Nicaragua, Salvador
and Honduras on board the L. > ;
Tacoma in order to concert measures
looking to the establishment OF more
peaceful relations in Central Amer
lea. The government of the United
States was deeply gratified at the
action of those countries in acknowl-
edging the validity of the general !
treaty of peace and friendship signed
at Washington on December 20. 1907.
and in the subsequent action of the
governments of Costa Rica and
Guatemala in definitely declaring
that this treaty. so far as they are
concerned. is still in force.
Court of Justice Terminated.
believing that a great advance had
been made toward peace and staoii-
ity and that the friendly relations and
80 hat~ LOG n
still further be assured by a frank
exchange of views and recommends
tious, the government OF the United
States invited the governments OF
the Central American republics TO
send their plenipotentIaries to wash
ington for this conference.
with your permission, l desire to
emphasize the fact that. as the sep
arate treaty establishing the Central
American court of Justice was ter
that adequate provision now be made
for appropriate arbitral disposition
of controversies and that suitable
methods be devised for carrying out
the fundamental purpose OF existing
treaties in securing a basis Tor a
lasting and just accord.
TT is also earnestly hoped that
means may be found at least to cur
tail and, If possible. to end unneces-
sary and unproductive outlays. as
in the absence of sound economic
basis.
Rich Natural Resources.
you are blessed with the riches
of natural resources: you command
the conditions of orderly development
and widespread contentment: you have
the opportunity of fostering mutual
relations which will promote the secur-
ity of each of your republics without
depriving it of any of its natural ad-
vantages: you have the good will and
friendship of all powers.
"It is our earnest hope that this
conference may register your high and
effective resolve to put an end to
strife. which impoverishes. and to bring
tual distrust, and thus that it may af
ford that sense OF national security
and repose and OF true fellowship be-
tween peoples by which you may each
realize to the fullest extent the bless
ings of your national heritage.
this end you have the assurance of the
interest and cooperation Of the gov
ernment of the United States"
Luncheon at White House.
At the suggestion of Secretary
Hughes. Jordan Herbert Stabler. for
mer chief of the State Departments
Latin-American bureau. was chosen
unanimously as secretary-general of
the conference. No other business
was transacted At the opening ses,
sion. but it was agreed that the real
work Of the conference would begin
tomorrow morning at a meeting be-
hind closed doors.
After todays session adjourned the
delegates were luncheon guests of |
President Harding at the White
Th;s evening the delegates will he