AT THE MOMENT of Your Majesties' departure from the United States, I wish to express to Your Majesty and to Queen Rambai Barni my pleasure and that of Mrs. Hoover that Your Majesties chose to visit this country and that you gave us the pleasure of your visit to Washington.

The Conference has demonstrated a fine spirit of conciliation and consideration amongst nations that will have lasting benefits in establishment of stability.

I WISH to convey to you my sincere congratulations.

ON THIS memorable anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Colombia, it gives me great pleasure to express to Your Excellency in the name of the Government and people of the United States most cordial wishes for the continued welfare of your great country.

It is an appreciated privilege, in behalf of the Nation, to greet the delegates from our own land and other lands to the convention of the World's Christian Endeavor Union at the 50th milepost of this dynamic movement.

Consular officers of the United States are entitled to enjoy the rank and precedence above stated.

We trust that by this evidence of our desire to assist we shall have contributed to the good will which is so necessary in the solution of this major question.

It is most kind of you to give to Mrs. Hoover and me this courteous and beautiful welcome.

I appreciate warmly your pleasant personal references.

We have no formal matters under discussion.

Those negotiations, of course, we are hopeful will go forward but are not negotiations in which we have any direct interest at all, and which we could not be a party to otherwise than perhaps just friendly suggestions.

Both in their name and personally I wish to express to Your Excellency the deep sorrow which is felt in this country at the passing of this great patriot.

I SEND you all my friendly greeting and best wishes on the occasion of this your first formal meeting outside of the United States and in Canadian territory.

These negotiations have been in progress for several weeks.

It is a happy omen and another one of the many examples showing the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation which unite us to our great northern neighbor.

It is a matter of deep gratification that every increase in the facilities of communication between our countries draws them nearer together, fostering the growth of cultural and commercial relations between them and further strengthening their mutual friendship.

Under the authority provided in subsection (d), section 18, of the act approved May 24, 1924 (43 Stat. 144), the President of the United States, in the exercise of his discretion, and acting in the interest of the United States, hereby orders the retention on active duty for such time as may be deemed necessary not in excess of five years from February 24, 1931, of Robert Peet Skinner, of Ohio, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to Greece.

The message that I particularly wish to send to Your Excellency and to the people of Mexico today is the fervent hope that the means which are used in transmitting my message will be a great instrument of understanding and never one of misunderstanding.