NEED FOR ARMAMENTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17236, 16 April 1930, Page 5

NEED FOR ARMAMENTS

TO ENFORCE PEACE U.S. ATTITUDE EXPLAINED WASHINGTON, April 14. President Hoover, addressing ' the Society of Daughters of the American Revolution, stated: “It is easy to preach the national duty of helping to preserve peace; it is easier still to engage in invective or vindictive phraseology which stirs . national selfishness and self-righteousness. Certainly rhe way of peace lies neither in the rattling of the scabbard nor in tin' abandonment of defence. AVe were sincere when we signed the Kellogg Pact and engaged our national honor when we ratified it. AVe must cultivate a methodical procedure, whereby controversies between nationals can be settled by pacific means and, certainly, until the peace machinery of the world has been developed and tested over a long period of years, we must maintain such forces of defence as will prevent, the penetration of hostile forces. All the world needs relief, but, disarmament cannot accomplish that, unless it is conducted by agreement among the nations.” Mr. Hoover thereafter discussed the importance of the World Court in the establishment of international goodwill. He defended what had been accomplished in London as in accord with the United States precautions for national defence and the efforts being made towards maintaining world peace. “We have bcen\ahlc to create a situation where there is neither inferiority nor superiority in the United Slates naval strength,” he said. “This is in agreement with the pact whereby we have pledged ourselves lo use arms solely for defence. We are stronger in defence as a result of the conference. It is an accomplishment, which 1 believe will appeal to (lie American people. Through ; his agreement we have strengthened the forces of peace.” Air. Hoover continued: “In all discussions as to the participation of the United States in a World Court, there are few persons who would not agree as to the desirability and necessity of such a court as one of the additions to our methods of pacific settlement. I have no doubt that, the details of the stipulations under which we should join can be solved, and the United States will become a member. Our American people want, peace in llie world, not alone as a matter of material interest to our prosperity and welfare, but because gains to the moral and spiritual forces of the world are made through peace, not through war.”