Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-16
PRESIDENT URGES AMITY
FOR AMERICAN NATIONS
AT HAVANA CONFERENCE
Text of Presidents
Message AT Havana.

At the opening of the Pan American
/ Conference at Havana. Cuba. President
Coolidge spoke as follows:
Mr.. President and Members of the
Pan-American Conference:
No citizen of any of the Americas
could GENE to the queen of the ISLANDS
of the West Indies without experiencing
an emotion of gratitude and reverence.
These are the outposts of the new
civilization of the Western Hemisphere.
It was among them that the three
small ships of the heroic admiral came
when. with the assistance and support
of Spain. Columbus presented to Europe
the first widespread, public and au-
thoritative knowledge OF the New
World. Other points may have been
previously visited. but for these was
reserved the final revelation. The
great discoverer brought with him the
seed of more republics. the promise of
greater human freedom. than ever
crossed the seas on any other voyage
With him sailed immortal Declarations
of Independence and Great Charters OF
self-governfnent He laid out course
that led from despotism to democracy
Edward Everett Hale, seer OF New
England, tells us that this gallant sea-
man, who rose above the storms 10
become the forerunner OF an age OF
pioneers,
Left blood and guilt and tyranny behind III ina
Sailing still West the hidden shore 10 ma :
Fer all mankind that unstained scroll
Where God might write anew the story of
the World.
In the spirit of Christopher Columbus
all of the Americas have an eternal
bond of unity, common heritage be-
t0 al
aether redeem the promise which his
voyage held for humanity. 1t must re-
main forever void This is the destiny
which Pan America has been chosen TO
fulfill.
Cpholds Human Service.
AS We look back over the accomplish
ments of the past four centuries We
can see that We are warranted IN as
sorting that the Western Hemisphere
has not failed in the service that it
seemed destined to render to humanity.
Progress does not go forward in a
straight line. It Is a succession OF
waves. We cannot always ride on their
crest. but among our republics the main
tide of human advancement has bean
steadily rising. The people have taken
charge of their own affairs. In spite
of some temporary discouragements.
they have on the whole been successful.
The fertility of a virgin soil. wealth
Of mineral deposits. and abundance Of
water power. multitude of navigable
rivers, all at the command of re-
sourceful people, have produced a ma
teriai prosperity greater in amount and
more widely distributed than ever be-
fore fell to the lot of the human race.
The arts ana sciences have nouTisned.
the advantages of education are wide
spread. devotion TO religion is marked
by its sincerity. The spirit OF liberty
is universal An attitude OF peace and
good win prevails among our nations.
A determination to adjust differences
among ourselves, not by resort 70
force, but by the application OF the
principles of justice and equity, Is one
of our strongest CHARACTERISTICS. Inc
sovereignty of small nations is re-
spected. II Is for the purpose OF giving
stronger guarantees to these principles.
Of increasing the amount and extend
ing the breadth Of these blessings, that
this conference has been assembled
The very place where We are meeting
is a complete demonstration OF the
progress We are making. Thirty years
ago Cuba ranked as foreign posses
sion, torn by revolution and devastated
by hostile forces. Such government as
existed rested on military force. To-
day CuDa Is her own sovereign. Her
people are independent. free, prosper
Gus, peaceful and enjoying the advan-
tages OF self-government. The last I'M
portant area has taken her place
among the republics Of the New World.
Our fair hostess has raised herself 10
a high and honorable position among
- 9l2A fFAf
lectual qualities OF the Cuban people
have won for them permanent place
in science, art and literature, and their
production Of staple commodities has
made them an important factor In the
economic structure OF the world. They
have reached a position In the stability
OF their government. in the genuine ex-
preston Of their public opinion at the
ballot box. and In the recognized SOUND
ness Of their public credit that mas
commanded universal respect and ad-
miratlon. What Cuba has done, others
have done and are doing.
Responsibilities Are Heavy.
II LIS a heavy responsibility which
rests upon the people and the govern
mentg represented at this conference.
Unto them has been given new land
free from the traditional jealousies and
hatreds of the Old World. where the
people might come into the fullest state
o. development. II is among the re-
DubIicg OF this hemisphere that the
principle OF human rights has had It's
brOadest application: where political
freedom and equality and economic OPP
portuuity have made their greatest ad
vance. Our most sacred trust has been.
and lis. the establishment and expansion
oi the spirit Of democracy, No doubt
we shall make some false starts and ex~
perience some disappointing reactions
But we have 10 put our confidence In
the ultimate wisdom OF the people We
believe we can rely on their intelligence.
their honesty and their character We
are thoroughly committed 10 the prin-
ciuIe that they are better f1tted IN gov
ern themselves than any one else IL 10
govern them. We 90 not claim irnme-
0iase perfection. But we do expect
continual progress. Our history reveals
that in such expectation We have not
been disappointed. IL Is better for the
people W make their own mistakes than
H. have some one else make their mis-
takes for them.
Next 10 our attachment " the prin-
clpIe III if-g1yefnmeBt has been our
attachment 10 the policy OF peace
When the republics of the Western
Hemisphere gained their Independence.
Continued on Page 4. Column 81