The Washington times., 1924-12-03

judgment. This court would pro-
vide practical and convenient
tribunal before which we could
go voluntarily, but to which we
could not be summoned, for q
determination Of justiciable quos-
tions when they fail to be re-
solved by diplomatic negotiations.
Disarmament Conference.
Many times I have expressed
my desire to see the work Of the
Washington Conference on Limi-
tation of Armaments appro.
priately supplemented by further.
agreements for further reduc-
ton and for the purpose Of
diminishing the menace and waste
of the competition in preparing
instruments of International war.
It has been and is my expectaa
ton that we might hopefully
approach other great powers for
further conference on this subs
.ject as soon as the carrying out
Of the present reparation plan.
as the established and settled
policy of Europe has created q
favorable opportunity. But on
account Of proposals which have
already. been made by other gov
ernments for a European confer
once, 1t will be necessary to wait,
to see what the outcome Of their
actions may be. should not
wish to propose or have represen.
tatives attend conference which
would contemplate commitments
opposed to the freedom of action
we desire to maintain unimpaired
with respect to our purely
domestic policies. "a
international Law.
Our country should also sup
port efforts which are being
made toward the codification Of
international law. We can look
more hopefully, in the first ins
stance, for research and studies
that are likely to be productive
Of results, to a cooperation among
representatives of the bar and
members of international law
institutes and societies, than to q
conference Of those who are
technically representative OF their
respective governments, although,
when projects have been devel-
oped, they must go to the govern
ments for their approval. These
expert professional studies are
going on in certain quarters and
should have our constant en-
couragement and approval,
OutIawing Of War.
Much interest has Of late been
manifested in this country In
the discussion of various pro-
posals to outlaw aggressive war.
I .
the examination of this subject.
Il is in harmony with the ira
dltional policy of our country,
which is against aggressive war
and for the maintenance of per-
manent and honorable peace.
While, as have said, we must
safeguard our liberty to deal
according to. our own Judgment
with our domestic policies. we can
not fan to view with, sympathetic
interest all progress of this de- ).
sired end or carefully to study
the measures that may be pro-
posed to attain it
Latin America.
While we ARE DESTROYS Of pro
noting peace in every quarter of
the globe, we have a special In /
terest in the peace Of this hemis- !
phere. It is our constant desire /
that all causes 6e dispute in this i
area may be TRANQUILITY and salts .
factorily adjusted. Along with
our desire for peace is the earnest
hope for the increased prosperity
of our sister republics of Latin
America, and our constant pure
m Tor
them which may be mutually
beneficial and always inspired by
the most cordial friendships.
Foreign Debts.
About SIS, 000, 900 900 Is due to
our Government from abroad,
mostly fro European governs
ments. Great Britain, Finland,
Hungary, Lithuania and Poland
have negotiated settlements
amounting close TO $4,000, 100000
This represents the funding of !
over AZ per cent of the debt since
the creation Of the special foreign
debt commission. AS the life Of
this commission is about to ex-
pire its term should be extended.
am opposed to the cancellation
Of these debts and believe it for
the best welfare of the world
that they should be liquidated
and paid as fast as possible. l.
do not favor oppressive measures,
but unless money that is bor.s
rowed is repaid credit cannot be
secured in time Of necessity, and
there exists besides a moral obi
cation which our country cannot.
ignore and no other country can
evade. Terms and conditions may,
have to conform to differences
in the financial abilities Of the
countries concerned, but the prin-
ciple that each country should
meet its obligation admits of nos
differences and is Of universal ap...
plication. q
1t is automatic that our coun.
try cannot stand still 1t would
seem to be perfectly plain from
recent events that 1t is deter
mined to go forward. But it
wants no pretenses, it wants no
vagaries. 1t Is determined to adj
vance in an orderly, sound and
common-sense way. SIT does not
propose to abandon the theory OF
the declaration that the people
have inalienable rights which no
majority and no power Of govern
ment can destroy. It does. not
propose to abandon the practice
of the Constitution that provides
for the protection Of these rights.
1t believes that within these limit,
atoms, which are imposed not by
the fiat of man but by the law
Of the Creator, self-government
is just and wise 1t is convinced
that 1t will be impossible for the !
people to provide their own gov. /
eminent unless they continue to
own their own property.
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