The Wilmington morning star., 1940-07-22
R ASKS AMERICA
TO DEFEND RIGHTS
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torn Europe and, perhaps m o S t
pressing of all, how to readJust the
continent to the economic disloca-
tons resulting from Europe's war.
Laredo BrN left little doubt that
the Cuban delegation, which is to
preside at the general sessions,
will work in a spirit OF distaste
for the 'brittle conquests of force
and violence" He insisted that the
whole atmosphere of the confer
ence should be one of ~bulwarking
and regenerating American demo-
cracy.
Entering New Life
After dwelling at length on the
American nations common hertz
age of peace and democracy, Lar
edo Bru warned that 'the western
hemisphere is entering a new life
of alarm and menace"
Since last October, he said, hui
manity has gone on a m a r C h
gradually becoming dizzy and
senseless toward destruction
of that which constituted the high
est aims of civilized man."
ut seems" he declared, "as if
divine predestination forces us,
Americans, direct heirs of western
culture, to be indefinitely custo-
dams of an International morale
which becomes dim and deterior-
ates with the ruin of great peoples
and with the dramatic, contemptu-
Gus silencing of the highest virtues
of which mankind yesterday was
proud.
"1And assumption of this sacred
mission of setting up the Ameri-
can continent as trustee for the
remainder of betrayed civilization,
of a civilization pushed to the edge
of a precipice, is the objective
which reunites you today so you
may defend .. it from implacable
persecution which might 60 as far
as to pursue it to the remotest
corners of the new world.
1.-THE dangers, you know well,
excellencies, increase day by day;
our America will be lucky if, due
to its isolation, it can continue to
avoid profound reactions to the dis
tressing events we are living
through. This is an epoch in which
force and historical facts are close
ly related to scientific improve
ments of instruments which were
created for friendlier, more
effective intercourse -. but which
have been turned by a fiendish
fate into a tragic admonition for
our countries 80.
Conflict respects no right when
weakly upheld.
"Basing actions upon this cheer
less reality America must
lend itself to protective prepared
ness and be progressive in defense
of it's common rights. This policy
is the only one capable of main
tanning America in a pacific way
of life and of guaranteeing h e r
permanent enjoyment of happi-
ness"
Today's program was devoted to
Laredo Bru's speech and the usual
opening formalities.
The first private plenary session
will be held tomorrow morning for
an organization and in the after
noon Miguel Campo, Cuban Sec
rotary of state, will make the open
ing speech.
Highlight of tomorrow's sche-
dule, however, is a speech by Hull
and already the delegates are
specializing on what he will say.
AS representative of the most
powerful American nation, h S
words will have great influence on
the delegates who heard the stocky,
square-jawed Cuban presidents
warning this afternoon in Havana's
beautiful, $18, 900, 900 capitol,
guarded by the bayonets OF troops
alert for possible violence.
The grave nature of their deli
berations in the shadow OF Eu-
ropes war was driven home force
fully to the delegates who had to
pass through lines of sharp-eyed
sentries for a pre-conference re-
ception by President Federico Lar
edo Bru in the presidential palace.
Even prominent Cuban newspa-
permen we're searched thoroughly
by military and federal police
strung around the great m a r b | e