New Britain herald., 1925-06-03


 enmiiies, that we coyet no terri tory. harbor no fmperialistic de- signs and are not arming ourselves with the expectation Of attacking or being attacked. The power Of our arms Is not only consistent with, but ought 10 be regarded as an ad- ditional guaranty of, the peace of the world And so far as we can look into the future, so far as we can gauge the power and temper of other peoples, there never was a time when it was less likely that any other nation or combination Of 1 nations would or could make any attack on us. Both by necessity and by choice the whole world is against war. II has given incomparable hos tages to peace, Our own country is disarmed, has adopted the policy of limitation Of naval armaments. has voluntarily imposed restrictions 10 secure an agreement 10 extend such restriction among other nations, The policy Of peace through reason rather than peace through force is one In which America has taken and ought always to continue 10 take a leading part.
 Instrument of Peace
 As l have already tried to make clear, I regard our navy as great instrument of peace, As such it cannot fail to secure adequate sup port from the public treasury and command tho confidence and ad- miration of the American people. Whatever aid can be given by vol untary associations Tn advancing the welfare of the navy and keeping the | LubliC informed of its true aims and purposes and its necessary needs is entirely welcome and thoroughly to be commended. The officers of the navy are given the fullest latitude in expressing their views before their fellow citizens, subject, Of course, to the requirements of not bctraying those confidential affairs which would be detrimental to the service ! IL seems to me perfectly proper for anyone upon any suitable occasion to advocate the maintenance Of a navy in keeping with the greatness and dignity of our country. But as enc who is responsible not only for our national defense, but likewise our friendly relations with other peoples and our title to the good opinion of the world. l feel that the occasion will very seldom arise, and l I know it does not now exist. when those connected with our navy are justified, either directly or by infer ence, in asserting that other speci- . fled powers are armihg against us, and by arousing national suspicion and hatred attempting 10 cause us to arm against them.
 The suggestion that any other people are harboring a hostile in- ,.tent toward us Is very serious charge to make. We would not relish having our honorable motives Snd peaceful intentions questioned; others cannot relisy having any of us question thcirs. We should not forget that in the world over the general attitude and one Of the strongest attributes Of all peoples is desire to do right. Unless we lay our course in accordance with this principle, the great power for good in the world with which we have l been intrusted by a Divine ProN- dence will be turned 10 power for eNil We shall make no progress and be Of no benefit to ourselves or to anyone else.
 HOughton's Word
 In a recent address made by Am bassador Houghton. who represents us at the Court of St. James. he gave utterance 10 a great truth most ad mirably expressed when he said that Peace is an adventure in faith" That was a thought most appropri- ate to these times. The chief re- liance of ths world is faith. We cannot maintain any of our neces- sary relations without it, It is one of those first things which must be put first. It is one of the main ele- ments of the navy. How far could you proceed in organization or dis cipline, or what would be the result in battle. if the officers and men did not cherish an almost absolute faith