Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-16
Address Is Plea
for Spirit of
Democracy.
SINCERITY NOTE
MADE APPARENT
Ideals OF Western
World Are Held
Essential.
BY !. RUSSELL YOUNG.
Stiff Correspondent of The Star.

HAVANA, Cuba, January 10
In a speech animated with a
spirit of democracy and good will
and in which he made a ringing
appeal for peace and for the
blessings of enduring friendships
and understanding among the
nations of the Western Hemis-
phere, President Coolidge today
formally opened the Sixth Pan
American Conference in this city.
Mr.. Coolidge had journeyed far
and had left the borders OF his
own country for the first time
since becoming President to ad-
dress this distinguished gathering
of representatives from all the re-
publics of America, and there was
no mistaking the fact that he was
profoundly impressed with the
significance of the occasion and
that he was eager to make ms
personal contribution to the sue
cess of his forum.
It was plain to be seen that he want
ed his words to give unmistakab!e proof
of the genuine and unbounded friend
ship NJ the United States for its sister
republics below the Rio Grande, and
of its strong desire to be benevolent
and helpful and. at the same time. 10
remove any feeling that may exist that
this country is attempting TO dominate
the social political and economic de-
velopment of the other American re-
publics.
Pleads for Good Will
Throughout Mr.. Coolidga's address
there was an urge for peace and prog
yess and a strong appeal for the per-
petliation OF the ideals OF the Western
World. declaring In this connection that
In the spirit of Columbus all OF the
Americas have an eternal bond OF unity,
a common heritage bequeathed 70 them
alone. The assurance and fulallment
of such high ideals of freedom Is the
duty of the countries OF this hemi-
sphere. he declared. and at the same
time he added that the most sacred
trust of the Americas has been and Is
the establishment and expansion Of the
spirit OF democracy.
Avoiding any mention OF the World
Court, the League OF Nations or the
Monroe doctrine by name, President
Coolidge. while attempting TO emphasi2s
tiiF lIGaty Which, Ilt wi"
tended rests upon the people and gov
ernments represented at this confer
ence in continuing their independence.
declared that the American republics
are thoroughly committed to the princi-
pie that they are better fitted To govern
themselves than any one else Is To gov
ern them. He punctuated this with the
remark that Ii Is better for the people
10 make their own mistakes than To
have some one else make their mistakes
for them,
Mr.. Coolidge went further In con-
vey!ng this thought oy reminding his
auditors that the existence Of this
Pan-American Conference. which, he
said. is being held for the consideration
OF m assures OF purely American con-
Germ, involves no antagonism toward
any other section OF the world or any
other organization: that this confer
ence means that the independent re-
publics OF this hemisphere. animated
by the same ideals. enjoying the COM
mon blessings OF freedom and peace.
realize that there are many matters of
mutual interest and Importance which
can best be investigated and re
solved through the medium Of such
friendly contact and negotiation as Is
necessary for cooperative action. To
maintain the ideals Of these repub-
lies he said. Is cur obligation" He
added that no one else can discharge
II for us" and that therefore the
countries Of The Western World must
join together In assuring conditions
under which our republics" viii have
the freedom and the responsibility OF
working out their own destiny In their
oWp way
This was taken by many who heard
him IA an implied hint 10 the coun-
tries Of Central and South America To
not attempt 10 find q way 10 a peace
fui solution of whatever problems be-
set them or 10 seek adjustment Of
MISUNDERSTANDING and other difIicul~
ties. except through the helpful adj
vice and assistance Of nations which
and concern.
Avoids q. y. Greatness.
II vas quite apparent that Mr.
Coolidge stldioli.ly refrained from Ia
ifcting any remarks In his address
which might convey The thought IN
the Latin American delegates and the
audience about him that he wah TAX
ing this occasion 10 impress them with
the greatness and power of The United
States and It's tremendous resources
and wealth On the contrary. he en-
deayored 10 emphasize The fact that
all nations here represented stand on
an exact footing III understanding and
that The smallest ana The weakest NJ
them Is here % speak with the same
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