FIRST DUTY OF NATIONS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18545, 16 April 1930, Page 9

FIRST DUTY OF NATIONS.

Promoting World Peace.

PRESIDENT HOOVER’S STATEMENT (United Prer.s Association— By IDactrit Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received April 15, 7 p.m.) WASHINGTON, April 14. President Hoover addressing tht Society of Daughters or 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 vindicative phraseology, which stir national selfishness and self-righteousness. Certainly, the way of peace lies neither in the rattling of the scabbard, nor in the abandonment of defence. We ivere sincere when we signed the Kellogg pact and we pledged our national honour, when we ratified it. We must cultivate a methodical procedure whereby the controversies between nationals can be settled by pacific means. Certainly until the peace machinery of the world can be developed and tested over a long period of years, we must maintain such forces of defence, as will prevent penetration by hostile force. All we need is relief,'but disarmament cannot accomplish this, unless it is conducted by an agreement among the nations.” President Hoover thereafter discussed the importance of a World Court, in the establishment of international goodwill. He defended what had been accomplished in London, as in accord with the precaution of the United States to safeguard a national defence, and the effort being made to maintain world peace. “We have been able to create a situation,” concluded President Hoover, “where there is neither inferiority nor superiority in the United States nava* strength. This is in agreement with the pact, whereby we pledged ourselves to use our arms solely for defence. We are stronger in defence as the result of the Conference and its accomplishments, which, I believe, will appeal to the American people. Through this agreement we have strengthened the forces of peace.” Mr Hoover continued: “In all discussions as to participation of the United States in the World Court, there are few persons who would not agree as to the desirability and the 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 tht United States will become a member. Our American people want peace in the world, not alone as a matter of material interest to our prosperity and welfare, but because i.he gains to the moral and spiritual forces of world are through peace and not war.”