Evening star., 1923-05-17
Declares Problem, Is
to Reach Heart
of People.
Scores Promoters of
Sentiment Menac-
ing accord.

was the encouraging declaration made
by Secretary Hughes in delivering the
principal address. opening the semi
centennial conference of the National
Conference OF Social Workers in Polls
Theater last night.
He sees no hatred of Americans
abroad. but warned the leaders Of hu-
manitarian work that they must be on
their guard against those who seek to
foil international accord.
"Dcpartment of Peace"
Closely linking the work of the State
department with that carried on by the
National Conference of Social Workers,
Secretary Hughes said.
i am fond of speaking of the depart
ment of the government with which l
have the privilege of being associated
as the department of peace. No one
can question the primary aims of Amer
lean foreign policy in maintaining the
national security. in protecting the rights
and In safeguarding the fair opportu-
mites: put, in the happy. phrase of
Bryce. these legitimate aims can be
pursued in a spirit of justice and friend
hness' to all people. We seek thus to
pursue them. and, with respect to the
ultimate aim, our whole effort is TO
provide a sound basis for what you are
STRIVING to do-that is. to protect, to
roster and to make human life more Sc
cure and wholesome.
Declares Clouds Dissipated.
The clouds which two wears ago
oarkened the far eastern sky have
oeen disSipated," he said, and to the
disappointment of those who make
bitterness the test of patr;ofisrn ".
have been able to associate the great
powers OF the Pacific in friendly ac-
cord supported by mutual confidence
while at the same time We have care
FULLY preserved the sound American
tradition of freedom from alliance
portunity."
Mr. Hughes said this had been ac-
complished by achieving "a disarma-
ment OF thought" and that the Wash
1ngton arms conference had "lnanaged
to scrap. distrust as well as the
vessels OF war" and to end wasteful
competition which spelled not secur
ity, but suspicion
DeplOres Fear of World.
To-day, Notwithstanding the gray-
1ty of unsettled issues" he continued
I'VE find throughout the world ample
reason for announcement in the
omic evils following the great war
in the exhibition of enhanced indus
trial capacity, in the swift repair of
damaged areas. in the extraordinary
extent of recovery despite all difF-
culties
$50 great has been the progress
tnat II Is not too much 10 say that
tne "nole aspect or affairs would
instantly change if only. means could
be found to diSpel the fear and ap-
prehension which is the barrier to
accord and to give a sound basis for
tho confidence which all desire"
Who Shall Guard Guardinn1f
The Secretary OF State said it was
clear that essential conditions of
peace "are not TO be found in artificial
arrangements" but that it was "the
disposition of peoples that counts"
1T Is idle to talk of prescribing
wanting peace" he added. You can N
not maintain peace by force. for who
will supply. who will control. who
will direct the force? Great nations
may. indeed, discipline a weak power.
provided they are united in policy
and provided always that the weak
power is not a necessary weight in
some contrived balance of power.
But when great nations do not agree
among themselves, who shall guard
the guardians?
Scores Foes OF Peace.
IF those who are keenly desirous
of enduring peace will descend to the
contemplation of realities. it will be
seen that there Is only one way to
the goal-a long and difficult way
that is, by the cultivation of the
spirit of friendship and good will
among peoples through which alone
the sources of dangerous life can be
dried up
Mr.. Hughes declared that those
"who create public sentiment which
makes 1t difficult for honorable
statesmen to find ways of practicable
adjustment of international problems
were worse offenders than intriguing
diplomats.
Responsible leaders" he continued,
ARE harried by their opponents, am
bilious rivals are ready to take their
places. editors and orators are quick
to excorlate those who seem to make
any national sacrifice in the interest
of reasonable adjustment and thus
an atmosphere is created which rem
ders futile the agencies OF peace.
however admirably contrived they
seem to be-"
Praises Relief Work.
The Secretary of State pointed out
world peace lies in those quiet
humane efforts by which.peoples come
10 understand and to trust each other
until they reach the point that war
between them becomes unthinkable,
and with that sentiment any differ
ence can be composed by direct ap-
proaches and the processes of reason
Looking beyond immediate exigencies,
I believe that If there is a powerful
and continuous influence at work to
bring humanity to the desired goal it
is to be found in the manifold human
itarian activities in which you are en-
gagged"
IF America is understood abroad"
he said, lit is because Of the graft
tude there for the work done by
American relief agencies" 1t is well
to recognize, he added. that there
does exist what has happily been
called a ground swell of popular
goodwill toward this country
No National Barriers.
There are no national barriers be-
tween social workers." declared Sec
retary Hughes. because they all
work under one banner, The Better
ment of Human Life 1t is in the
quiet humane work done in the mani
fold fields Of social activities that
the world finds the surest promise of
peace, and 1t is tn eonly road that
will lead humanity to its desired
goal. 1t is the thought and intent of
the heart that count. The roots of
amity and mutual confidence must
be struck deep in the thoughts and
convictions of the people until war is
unthinkable. So peace will come"
Secretary Hughes stressed with
which the social workers of America
were destined to play in the attain
ment of an ultimate peace, and said
that American influence is potent in
peaceful settlement. in part because
Of the gratitude which swells UP in
dren saved from starvation, and
disease and pestilence curbed by the
American Red Cross.
Imperialisnr Secuted.
Referring to the republics of South
and Central America and policies for
their development secure in inde- !
pendence and in Immunity from for
eign intrigue" Mr.. Hughes declared
that only those suffering from
Al <.sI