Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-07-22
IS Presidents
In Panama for
UnityPdr|ey
Weak, But | Keep
Going Eisenhower
Remarks Publicly

Remarks Publicly
PANAMA, July 81 P.-Presi-
dent Eisenhower, feeling fine but
short on strength, arrived today
for rendezvous with history
a meeting of American presi-
dents to proclaim hemisphere
unity.
Flying in from Washington for
the Panama conference, Mr.. Eli
senbower placed a wreath beside
the tomb of President Jose An
tonic Remon, who was asSaSsi-
mated in January of 1855.
The President, still GONZALES
cling from an intestinal opera
ton June 9, also took soaking
in a sudden tropical rainstorm,
Voice Not Strong
Mr.. Eisenhower had a good
color but his voice did not sound
strong.
Reporters heard him tell Miss
Carmen Hortensia Remon, a sis
ter of the dead president. that
he was feeling fine. Then he
added: 81 haven't much strength
but l keep going"
1t was an off-hand remark at
the start of a three-day visit at
this waistline of the Americas. 1t
is a visit offering Mr.. Eisen-
hover an opportunity to show
the American voters how much
stamina he has.
The remark seems certain to
be picked up by Democrats, who
say Mr.. Eisenhower's health is
one of the greatest issues of the
oncoming presidential election
campaign.
Largest in History
Eighteen presidents and presi-
dents-elect claSped hands in
friendship in the waterfront pal
ace of President Ricardo Arias
Espinosa of Panama.
These gestures of good will
are the main purpose of the
largest assembly of chiefs of
states in history. Some will want
to talk with Mr.. Eisenhower
about increased United States
aid. But this will be in private
individual conferences spaced be-
tween ceremonies and speech
making.
The conference itself has no
official business to transact aside
from the signing tomorrow of a
declaration of principles" speak
ing up for unity, cooperation,
fostering world peace and solving
economic problems.
The conference climaxes OBJ
servance of the 13Oth anniver-
sary of the first congress of
F'nama here in 1926. called by
the great South American liber-
ator. Simon Bolivar. That con-
greSs became the predecessor of
the Pan American Union and the
Organization of American States.
Provides Opportunity
This years conference provides
a chance for the American presj-
dents to become personally ac-
quainted and strengthen the
Western H isphere front
against the Communist world,
President Arias, who arranged
the conference, gave it the rem
devious with history" tag when
he greeted Eisenhower on his
arrival from Washington. Arias
declared:
Your presence here at this
rendezvous with history, Presi-
dent Eisenhower, is particularly
pleasing to the people of PAN
anna, who see in you the greatest
exponent of the hope of the
American continent in the strug-
gle with all its available resources
to assure peace and attain a
better life within the dignity
that every human being de-
serves"
Mr.. Eisenhower took over the
microphones set up at the air.
field to say it was an honor and
a privilege to return to the
country where he had served as
an Army major from l922-24
He called it three years of Won
derful service among wonderful
people" and added:
1T is a privilege to represent
the American people here"
Mr.. EiSenhower's trip has both
foreign policy and political con-
notatDns. 1t provided the first
real chance since his operation
for Mr.. Eisenhower to show the
powers of his endurance tt
American voters.
President Arias was overheard
saying he was glad to see his
presidential colleague in such
good shape" Presidential Press
Secretary James c. Hagerty told
newsmen his boss had stood the
flight from Washington very
well "
Some of the spectators along
See EISENHOWER, Page Az