Evening star., 1927-04-26
TEXT OF PRESIDENTS SPEECH DISCUSSING FOREIGN

The following is the text of Presi.
dent Coolidge's speech at the dinner
of the United Press last night:
Members and guests of the united
Press:
'The gathering and the distribution
of news have long since ceased 70 pe
a. local and individual occupation IheF
have become identified with great or
ganizations having their representa-
tives in all parts of the country ana
tbai,, nublications in every important
center. This service could only be
performed by a mutual exchange or
the most inclusive nature. How
rapid and complete has been the
growth of these organizations is eX-
emplified by the United Press. which
is now celebrating it's twentieth ami
versary. In that short space or tlhle
it has spread far and wide over
North and South America and become
an instrument of both national ana
international publicity.
This growth and power of the press
carries with it great obligations. IL
is automatic that q free press can eX-
ist only in a free country. one OF
the first efforts of all kinds of abso-
lltism is to control the press ana
the schools as the sources OF lfIor-
nation and education or the people.
Where the press is free, as 1t IS IN
our country under the guarantees OF
the National and State Constitutions,
it has a reciprocal duty OF 1ts own
to perform toward the administrator
of the Government, of giving true re-
ports to the people of the actions OF
nublic officials. To do otherwise would
Itch
own. In America the general sources
of information are so numerous and
on the whole so correct that any pub
lication which constantly misrepre-
sents very soon becomes marked as
unreliable and loses it's influence both
for good and for harm.
Regards Press Highly.
"It is natural that the press should
represent the character of the gov
ernment under which it lives and OF
the people which it serves. have
come to have a profound regard for
the American press because 1t repre-
sents America. In the accuracy OF its
reports, the intelligence of its COM
ments, and the freedom if it's actions,
I know Of no other country where it
is surpassed. There ought to be a
deeper realization of these conditions
on the part of those who are respon-
sible for the conduct of our press,
which should be reflected on their
part in more intent and genuine
Americanism. If you lived under some
jurisdictions your news would be gar
bled and unfair, your editorial COM
ments would be dWarfed and preJu-
diced. your conduct would be cramped
and limited. Because America is what
it is, you are what you are. Your own
independent and exalted position fully
demonstrates that this country is
worthy at all times of your service and
your support. Whenever any section
of our press turns on America and
American institutions, and assumes a
foreign attitude, every informed per-
son knows that it has fallen from the
high estate which is our common herit-
age, and, becoming no longer worthy
of regard, is destined to defeat and
failure. No American can profit by
selling his own country for foreign
favor.
1.-The policy that our Nation is try
ing to promote throughout the world
is one of peace and good will based
on a better understanding through
justice and fair dealing. 1t it prefect-
ly apparent that there are three main
elements on which we rely to advance
this cause. First is the National Gov
ernment as it comes into contact
through its duly constituted officers
with the governments and people of
other countries. 1 doubt if the belief
exists in any informed quarter that
this is a belligerent Government de.
sirouS Of oppression or bent on con-
quest. Our whole history and tradi-
hn 5nK.n tfn,, Sc -.
establishment and the general attitude
of our people, would altogether dis.
prove any such assumption.
Trade and Commerce.
Another very important considera.
tion is that of trade and commercial
relations While a certain number of
foreign people come to this country to
transact business without intending to
make this their permanent home their |
is negligible, and any difficulty |
arising from their presence here is al |
most unknown. They have practically |
every advantage and every protection |
that is afforded to our own citizens. |
OF their conduct on the whole we have |
had little to blame and much to praise. |
In the past foreign interests have had |
investments in this country running |
u
made at a time when we had INSULT !
cient capital to develop our own re- T,
sources, such investments were most |
helpful in building our railroads, open |
ing our mines and supporting our |
AS we have come |
into the possession of surplus capital |
we have shown an increasing disposi- |
ton to extend this same kind of serv- |
ice to other countries. Our people |
have gone abroad with their invest |
ments. their technical skill and COM |
ability, to assist in opening up |
countries.
This is the natural play of the |
forces of civilization. 1t is the result |
Of natural and conmendable enter |
prise which carries with it the same |
kind of benefits and advantages to the |
other people which we ourselves for
merly received from abroad. 1t is the |
method by which the more prosperous |
and improved portions of the earth |
help to bring these advantages to the |
less fortunately circumstanced. This |
policy is distinctly one that is in har- |
mony with the law of service. In prin-
ciple it is the method by which |
stronger communities minister to
weaker communities. But these oper-
atoms must be carried on with justice |
and humanity. They must not be per-
mitted to sink to the level Of mere |
They do not justify |
seizure, which is virtually by force, |
Of the natural resources of foreign |
countries or the failure to give fair |
for their labor. A just !,
attitude in these respects by Ameri-
cans when they engage in enterprises
abroad will do very much to determine
our country is able to main
tain the respect and friendship of
foreign peoples. Unless this course Is
pursued, unless this attitude Is s~lain-
all the support which our Gov
could give would fail to make
these foreign enterprises successful.
Unless they rest on justice and fair
dealing, they are bound to fail.