The Washington times., 1924-04-22
full TEXT OF COOLIDGE'S SPEECH URGING NEW WORLD

senate Dy PRESIDENT Harding Tor
our adherence to the covenant es-
tablishing this court, which sub
mitted to the favorable considera-
ton Of the present Senate in my
annual message. Other plans for
a World Court have been
preached, but up to the present
time this has seemed to me the
most practical one. But these
proposals for arbitration and
courts are not put forward by
those who are well informed with
the idea that they could be relied
upon as an adequate means for
entirely preventing war.
They are rather method of Sc
curing adjustment Of claims and
differences, and for the enforce.
ment of treaties, when. the usual
channels of diplomatic negotia-
ton fail to resolve the difficulty.
Proposals have also been made
for the codification Of interna-
tional law. Undoubtedly some
thing might be accomplished in
this direction, although q very
large body of such law consists
in undertaking to establish rules
Of warfare and determining the
rights Of neutrals. One Of the
difficulties to be encountered
would be the necessity Of secur-
ing the consent Of all the ma
lions, but no doubt the agreement
OF the major powers would go
very far in producing that result.
! do not claim to be able to an
nounce any formula that will
guarantee the peace Of the world.
There are certain definite things
however that I believe can be
done, which certainly ought to be
tried, that might relieve the
people OF the earth of much Of
the burden Of military ornaments
and diminish the probability Of
military operations.
Frequent Conferences Urged.
believe that among these are
frequent international conferences
suited to particular needs. The
Washington Conference did g.
great deal to lestore harmony
and good will among the nations.
Another purpose Of a conference
Is the further limitation Of COM
petitive ornaments. Much re-
mains to be accomplished in that
direction. It would appear to be
impractical to attempt action
under present conditions, but with
a certain andA definite settlement
Of German reparations firmly
established, shoV|d favor the
calling Of similar conference to
achieve such limitations Of arma-
ments and initiate plans for a
codification Of international law,
should preliminary inquiries dis
close that such a proposal would
meet with a sympathetic response.
But the main hope Of success lies
in first securing composed state
Of the public mind in Europe.
It is my firm belief that America
Is in a position to take the lead
in this direction. It is undoubted-
ly too much to suppose that we
hold very much of the affection
ate regard of other nations. At
the same time we do hold their re-
spect. Our position is such that
we are trusted and our business
institutions and Government con-
sidered to be worthy of confidence.
If there is disappointment in
some directions that we do not
enter ALLIANCES with them, It is
more than overhalanced by the
knowledge that there is no danger
that we shall enter alliances
against them. 1t must be known
to every people that we are seek
ing no acquisition of territory,
and maintinlng no military estab-
lishment with unfriendly and
hostile intent. Like our political
institutions all of this Is a power
full example throughout the world.
Very many of the nations have
been the recipients Of our favor,
and have had the advantage of
our help in some time Of ex-
tremity. We have no traditional
enemies. We have come to a po-
sition OF great power and great
responsibility.
First Duty to Ourselves.
Our first duty is to ourselves.
American standards must be main
tanned. American institutions must
be. preserved The freedom OF
the people politically, economi-
cally, Intellectually, morally and
spiritually, must continue to be
advanced. This is not a matter
of a day or a year. It may be
Of generations, it may be of an
era. It is for us here and now
to keep in the right direction, to
remain constant to the right
ideals. We need q faith that is
broad enough to let the people
make their, own mistakes. Let
them come unto knowledge and
understanding by their own ex.
made by merely attempting to re
press what is evil, our great hope
lies in developing what is good.
One newspaper is better than
many criminal laws.
One schoolmaster is better than
a legion Of bailiffs.
One clergyman is better than
an army with banners.
These are our guarantees of
internal peace and progress.
Moral Power Is Strength.
On what nations are at home
depends what they will be abroad.
If the spirit Of freedom rules in
their domestic affairs, it will rule
in their foreign affairs. The world
knows that we do not seek to rule
by force of arms, our strength
is in our moral power. We in
crease the desire for peace every
where by being peaceful. We
maintain q military force for our
defense, but our offensive lies in
the Justice Of our cause.
We are against war because 1t
is destructive. We are for peace
because It is constructive. We
seek concord with all nations
through mutual understanding.
We believe in treaties and cove
nants and international law as a
permanent record for reliable de-
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