Statement at Montevideo, Uruguay, November 24, 1936 NEW cities are as beautiful as Montevideo, and few indeed have such a permanent place in my affec F tions. It is, therefore, a great personal pleasure for me to return to the place in which was inaugurated, by mutual collaboration, a new era in inter-American relationships. In returning to the site of the Seventh International Conference of American States, I am reminded that in many ways it has proved the most fruitful and constructive of recent international gatherings. This is an omen that, with cooperation and mutual good-will, the coming Buenos Aires Conference will advance the cause of peace and economic understanding to a stage not yet attained in the Americas. There can be no doubt that we have at this time a unique opportunity to demonstrate to the world what friendly and neighboring nations, animated only by friendship, cooperation, and mutual good-will, can accomplish in a conference of equals. A basis for international peace and economic well-being should be established, to serve as an inspiration and guide to a world sorely needing the leadership of enlightened statesmanship. Let us re-dedicate ourselves to the cause of peace and economic progress. By so doing our example should be a torch to light the path of peace for a troubled world. Radio Address at Montevideo, Uruguay T WAS a deep personal pleasure to have had the opportunity to renew my most pleasant and fruitful association with a great leader of a great people, His Excellency Gabriel Terra, the President of Uruguay. It is by means of these friendly contacts that the course upon which we have all set our hearts is quickening and being given sturdy growth. The mutual feeling of friendly admiration between the peoples of Uruguay and the United States of America was evidenced by the welcome accorded us upon our arrival this morning. Such a welcome is given, not to a distinguished guest but to a member of one's own family. This gives me a new understanding of the reality of brotherhood in the Americas. There has long been mutual understanding, high personal esteem, and cooperation between our two peoples, and I am happy in the belief that this will continue upon an ever-increasing scale. It is, therefore, an inspiration to me to return to the place in which was inaugurated, by mutual collaboration, a new era in inter-American relationships. In revisiting the site of the Seventh International Conference of American States, I am reminded that in many ways it has proved the most fruitful and constructive of recent international gatherings. This is an omen that, with cooperation and mutual good-will, the coming Buenos Aires Conference will advance the cause of peace and economic understanding to a stage not yet attained in the Americas. There can be no doubt that we have at this time a unique opportunity to demonstrate to the world what friendly and neighboring nations, animated only by friendship, cooperation, and mutual good-will, can accomplish in a conference of equals. A basis for international peace and economic well-being should be established, to serve as an inspiration and guide to a world sorely needing the leadership of enlightened statesmanship. Let us re-dedicate ourselves to the cause of peace and economic progress. By so doing our example should be a torch to light the path of peace for a troubled world. I Statement at Buenos Aires, November 25, 1936 AM completely confident that under the leadership of that great statesman, His Excellency Dr. Carlos Saavedra Lamas, and with the collaboration of our distinguished colleagues from the American republics, we will achieve marked success in removing the remaining obstacles to the future peace and prosperity of this hemisphere. We come here determined to make this Conference an example of unselfish cooperation. This confidence is strengthened by the cordiality and friendly understanding attending the preliminary conversations as to our aims and purposes at Buenos Aires. I have reason to know that the great leaders of the American republics are animated by a sincere and determined resolve to banish forever from this continent the possibility of a resort to armed force. I know they share with me the firm belief that it is only through the removal of causes of misunderstanding and friction arising out of obstacles to intercourse, both spiritual and commercial, that this imperative objective can be attained. We shall be glad indeed to participate in the Conference convened for such a lofty purpose by the Argentine Government in Buenos Aires. We are also most happy to have the privilege of joining with the people of this great nation in celebrating the four-hundredth anniversary of the founding of their magnificent capital city. It is our sincere hope that here we may establish a record of constructive accomplishment. This will be a shining example to the world of the results that can be obtained when nations, joined as equals, collaborating in a sincere spirit of unselfishness, sympathetic understanding, and mutual confidence, prepare the path for peace. |