Evening star., 1927-05-04
Text of Presidents Address to Pan-Americans
Discurso Por Presidente Estados Unidos

President Coolidge's speech last
night before the Third Pan-American
Commercial Conference follows, in
full:
1.-THE Pan-American movement rests
on the principle of mutual helpfulness.
THIS idea had it's inception at the first
meeting of American republics in
1926, but did not reach its full de-
velopment until the conference held in
Washington in 1889, which organized
the Bureau of American Republics,
now known as the Pan-American
Union. Since this time many inter-
national &C aferences of American
States have been held to consider
scientific, sanitary, Red Cross, postal,
journalistic, radio, standardization,
highways and other questions. These
gatherings, representing the great
body Of unattached republics of the
Western Hemisphere, are great IN
fldence in commercial, industrial and
cultural development.
"Our first commercial conference
was held in 1911, our second in 1919,
and this is the third. 1t is a happy
circumstance that the Chamber of
Commerce of the United States, meet
ing at this same time, gives an oppor-
tunity for bringing together represent
atHye business men covering all the
territory of the Pan-American Union.
The growing intimacy of our relation
ship is emphasized by the fact that
delegates are already here to hold a
conference on commercial aviation
and other delegates to confer on stand
ardization. To all of these representa-
tives the Government Of the United
States extends most cordial welcome.
They hold promise of great benefit to
all the countries concerned and pro-
vide the opportunity and method for
promoting mutual cooperation and
f. ndly relations.
Represents Private Industry.
t'While this conference has a semi
official standing, l believe that its
great merit lies in the fact that it rep
resents not government but private
industry. Governments do rot have
commercial relations. They can pro-
mote and encourage it, but it is dis
tinctly the business of the people
themselves. If this desirable activity
is to grow and prosper, 1t 1t is to pro-
vide the different nations with the
means of self-realization, Of education,
progress and enlightenment, it must
in general be the product of private
initiative. Under free governments
trade must be free, and to be of per-
manent value it ought to be independ
ent. Under our standard we do not
expect the Government to support
trade; we expect trade to support the
Government. An emergency or ma
tiona1 defense may require some dit
ferent treatment, but under normal
conditions trade should rely on its
belong to the province Of private en-.
terprise.
'It is our conclusion that while
government should encourage inter.
national trade and provide agencies
for investigating and reporting condi.
tions, those who are actually engaged
in the transaction of business must
necessarily make their own contracts
and establish their own markets.
There is scarcely any nation that is
sufficient unto itself. The conven-
ience and necessity Of one people inev-
itably are served by the natural re-
sources, climatic conditions. skill and
creative power of other peoples. This
is tho sound basis Of international
trade.
Stability of Commerce.
This diversity of production makes
it possible for one country to exchange
it's commodities for those Of another
country to, the mutual advantage OF
both. It is this element that gives
stability and permanence 20 foreign
commerce. It contributes to satisfy
ing wants and needs, and SO becomes
a help to all who are engaged in it.
'.The civilizing influence of COM
merce has often been noted. An ex-
change of commodities always results
in an exchange of ideas. The rail-
road, steamship. telegraph, telephone
and now the airplane have all reached
their highest development as instru-