Evening star., 1924-08-30
HUGHES WELCOMES
CLAIM ADJUSTERS
Secretary Gives Govern
ment's Good Wishes to Amer
ican Mexican Commission.
By the Associated Press.

BY the Assocat ed Press.
Members of the American Mexican
General Claims Commission, meeting
here today for the first time to un-
dertake the settlement of claims be-
tween citizens of the two countries
as provided for in the convention
worked out in Mexico City precedent
to the establishment of friendly
relations between the United States
and Mexico, were welcomed today by
Secretary Hughes with declaration
that I'VE feel that we are entering
upon new era of mutual confidence
in our relations with Mexico to the
advantage Of the peoples Of both
countries"
The meeting, Secretary Hughes said
in his formal address Of greeting,
once more indicated in this hemi-
sphere the determination to find ap-
propriate and peaceful solutions of
international questions and gave
"emphatic demonstration of our devo-
tion to the cause of peace"
That cause" he asserted, "tri-
umphs not so much in ambitious pro-
grams. or in counsels of perfection
not so much IN expression of ideals
however important these may be, as
in the practical work of removing
causes or diference and in providing
Just settlements. These furnish the
tests of our professions and the meas
ure of our achievements.
To Promote Friendshfp.
THE convention under which you
are organizing as a commission is a
document in every line of which
breatheS the spirit of justice. Here
Is no desire to obtain unfair ad-
vantage on the part of either govern
ment, no suggestion of any motive
save to promote our friendly relations
by the frank recognition of mutual
obligations impartially determined.
The wide scope of the convention
emphasizes the intention of both
governments not to exclude from the
province of the commission any sub
1ect which would appropriately be
submitted to judicial determine ton.
NO international document of recent
years has more fully demonstrated
that the highest national interest lies
in maintaining the supremacy of the
principles of international law, Justice
and equity"
Hopes for Prosperity.
At this point. Mr.. Hughes took oc-
casion on behalf of the American
Government to express profound in
terest in the prosperity of our great
neighbor on the south, the United
Mexican States; our abiding friendship
for her people, our earnest desire to
have the cooperation which proceeds
on the acknowledged basis of mutual
esteem and mutual recognition of the
rights and obligations of independent
states.
1--WE feel.' he continued, that we
are entering upon a new era of mu-
tual confidence in our relations with
Mexico to the advantage of the peo
Piles of both countries. 1t is most
agreeable to welcome here Senior NC
Gregor. the representative of the
government of Mexico, and to express
our cordial appreciation of the action
of his government in designating for
the work of this commission a man
of such eminent abilities and distin
guished repute."
Felicitntes Holland.
To DR.. Van Vollenhoven of Holland.
selected to be arbitrator and chair
man of the commission, the Amerf-
can Secretary said the fact that the
two governments were able without
hesitation to agree on his selection
was not mere tribute to him, but to
the country from which he came as
we'll.
The Netherlands, Mr.. Hughes said.
may be called the home on inter-
national Justice. the seat iof that
great tribunal which has been estab-
lished to deal with International con-
troversies Of a justiciable nature, the
Permanent Court of International
Justice; the place where in the past
the powers have found 1T possible to
enter into arrangements to extend
and perfect the machinery Of arbi-
tration." .----.
Organization of the American
Mexican General Claims Commission
was effected today and the body set
for next Wedne:N the first of a
series of meetings, expected to extend
over two years or more. to complete
the task of adjusting claims pending
between the two countries and their