Evening star., 1928-05-31

| eign people. Though we have at this
time some of our forces In Haiti, Mica
ragua and China. they are In none, of
these places for the purpose of making
war. but for the purpose Of insuring
| peaceful conditions under which the
rights of our nationals and their prop
erty may receive that protection to
which they are entitled under the terms
of international law. Our further pur-
pose in Haiti and Nicaragua is to assist
the peoples and governments of those
two countries In establishing stability.
in maintaining orderly and peaceful in
stitutions in harmony with civilized So
ciety. We are there at their express in
vitation and IN accordance with ex-
plicit agreements.
The worldwide interests of the
United States aside from the dictates
of humanity make us view with peculiar
disfavor not only any danger of being
involved In war ourselves, but any
danger of war among other nations.
Our investments and trade relations are
such that It Is almost impossible to con-
ceive of any conflict anywhere on earth
which would not affect us injuriouSly.
The one thing that We want above all
else for ourselves and for other nations
is a continuance of peace. Whether so
intended or not, any nations engaging
in war would thereby necessarily be en-
gagged in a course prejudicial to US.
The strength of this Nation, now
ever, is not expressed merely in terms
of an Army and Navy A yet greater
power is derived from the happiness
and contentment Of the ieople. During
recent years this has been our national
position to a greater extent than ever
experienced by any other people. A
realization of the benefits derived from
our political and economic institutions
naturally results in patriotic devotion
The efforts made to establish Gov
ernment free from tyranny. in which
the fullest freedom consistent with
order and justice would be granted, and
where opportunity would be open and
industry attended with the largest re-
wards, all have an important bearing
on the subject of national defense.
Other Duties Outlined.
But to the contentment and patriot
ism of the people there must be added
the resources that are derived from
prosperous industry. agriculture and
commerce. Good credit. which Is de-
rived from sound financial conditions
is the principal foundation Of national
defense That country which has SO
ordered its finances as to be In po-
sition to furnish the largest amount OF
money win always be in the best po-
sition TO protect itself Reduction of
our national debt, permitting reduc-
ton of taxes. which stimulates private
enterprise and increases our credit, Is.
an important addition to our national
strength The industrial advance, the
agricultural development. the financial
resources. strengthened by wise policies
In time of peace. are Of tneStimable
value In time Of war
A people which gives itself over TO
great ornaments and military displays
runs great danger Of creating within
itself q,Iarrelsome war spirit. Bu'
these other elements OF power, although
their importance Is usually ignored, by
contributing TO the happiness and con-
tentnenf of the people are important
influences for peace. Those who seek
for vast military establishments requir-
ing enormous expenditures Of money
are not necessarily contributing 50
much 10 national defense as those who
would apply more Of our revenue TO
the payment Of our debt and a cor
responding reduction OF our taxes.
which would be reflected in increased
prosperity With this method Of pre-
paredness. the more we have of II the
more peaceful we become. II can be
Old OF our country that in all Its
history 1t has never made preparations
to attack any other country. When
ever It has been engaged In conflict
1t has entered It IN such a state of
lnpreparedne6s as TO demonstrate that
Il was not sought or even expected
While others have felt that they were
forced to prepare for war. our situation
has been such that we have always
been preparing for peace.
Sees WorId Advancing.
1t Is our theory that while the Army
and Navy are an important and neces-
sary part. they are by no means the
only agency Of national security. We
know that there are times when race
antagoni6n1s and national animostties
break out In the world in the most
unexpected way. AT other times all
nations are subjected TO more or less
domestic tunult. In such cases the
presence Of adequate armed forces Is
the only practical method Of protection
for life and property. But the world
has advanced far enough now In
civilization and experience. 50 that a
IuNHR