Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-03
i. S. Defense Forces
Should Be Modified.
He Declares.
CITES HIGH ARMSCOST
Saws National Needs and
Steps for International
Amity Should Rule.
10 the Senate and House OF Representatives:

and recommend to their consideration such
mef sures as he shall Judge necessary and
wish to emphasize that during the past year the
Nation has continued to grow in strength; our
people have advanced in comfort; We have gained
in knowledge; the education of youth has been
more widely spread moral and spiritual forces
assured The problems with which we con-
fronted the problems of growth and Of
progress. In their solution we have to determine
the facts 10 develop the relative importance to be
assigned to such facts. to formulate common
judgment upon them, and to realize solutions In
spirit of Cancellation.
Foreign Relations.
We are not only at peace with all the world, but
the foundations for future peace being sub
Stantially strengthened. To promote peace is our
pocy nSagd hss e hssn rs,ssd
in the world By it hfty-four nations have COW
enantea 70 renounce war ana 70 seeS To all noe
has been inaugurated which has profoundly al
fected the foreign policies OF nations. since It's
III the organization of the machinery OF peace but
also to eliminate dangerous forces which produce
controversies amongst nations.
In January, 1926 the Senate gave its consent
70 adherence to The Court of International Justice
with certain reservations. In September of this
year the statute establishing the court has by the
action of the nations signatory. been amended to
beyond those reservations to make clear that the
court is a true international court of justice. I
believe it will be clear to every one that no con-
troversy or question in which this country has
claims interest can be passed on by the court
The doubt about advisory opinions has been COM
petey safeguarded. Our adherence to the Inter-
national Court is, constituted not the slight
est step toward entry into the League of Nations
AS have before indicated shall direct that our
and shall submit for the approval Of the Senate
with special message at some time when 1t Is
convenient to deal with it.
Pins High Hopes on Conference.
In the hope of reducing friction in Che world; and
with the desire that we may reduce the great eco
a
in conference with Great Britain, France Italy
and japan to be held in London in January to con-
slider the further limitation and reduction of naval
tend this effort.
the neighboring State of Mexico was beset with
domestic insurrection We maintained the embargo
upon the shipment of to Mexico but permitted
70 Il,lly constituted Government to procure sup
plies from our surplus war stocks Fortunately, the
Mexican Government by its strength success
fully withstood the instruction with but slight
damage. Opportunity of further peaceful develop
the Mexican Government, we have since lifted the
embargo on shipment of arms altogether The two
friendly relationships and solve our differences
Conventions prolonging for period of two years the
life of the general and special claims commissions
have been concluded
South american Peace Efforts.
In South America we proud to have had
part in the settlement of the ongstanding dispute
between Chile and Peru in the disposal Of the
question of Tacna-Arica.
The work OF the commission of inquiry and
representative OF this Government participated
has successfully terminated incident which
final settlement suggested by the neutral govern
ments Is still under consideration.
This Government has continued its efforts to
act mediator in boundary difficulties between
Guatemala and Honduras
further instance Of profound Importance in
establishing good will the Inauguration of reg
ular airmaf service between the United States and
Caribbean, Central American, and South American
we still have marines on foreign soil-in Mica
ragua, Haiti and China. In the large sense we do
not wish to be represented abroad In such manner
About 1900 marines remain in Nicaragua at the
urgent request of that government and the leaders
of all parties pending the training of domestic
constabulary capable of insuring tranquility. We
have already reduced these forces materially and
we are anxious to withdraw them further as the
situation warrants. In Haiti We have about 700
marines but it is a much more difficult problem
approves I shall dispatch commission to Haiti
to review and study the matter in an endeavor to
Our forces in china Constitute 26o5 men which we
hope also further 10 reduce to the normal legation
guard.
Latin american Relations.
It is my desire to establish more firmly our
understanding and relationships with the Latin
American countries by strengthening the diplomatic
missions to those countries 1t hope to SECURE
men long experienced in our diplomatic service,
who speak the languages OF the peoples to whom
missions in these states. shall send to the Senate
at early date the nominations of several such
men.
The Congress has by numerous wise and fore
sighted acts in the past few years greatly strength
ened the character of our representation abroad.
It has made liberal provision for the establishment
of suitable quarters for our foreign STATS in the
different countries. In order, however that
may further develop the most effective force in this,
of the most responsible functions of our Gov
eminent, shall recommend to the Congress more
liberal appropriations for the work Of the State
Department .--.S, expenditure of public
money from which greater economic and moral
return to us than by assuring the most
effective conduct of our foreign relations.
National DEFENSE
To preserve interne> order and freedom from
encroachment is the first purpose of government.
Our Army and Navy are being maintained In
most efficient state under officers OF high 1ntel1-
gence and zeal The extent and expansion of Their
numbers and equipment at present authorized
are ample for this purpose.
We can we'll be deeply concerned, however, at
the growing expense. From a total expenditure
for national defense purposes in 1914 of $267000,
OOO It naturally rose with the Great War, but
ceded again to 1912 900 900 in 1924, when again 1t
began to rise, until during the current fiscal year
the expenditures Will reach to over $73OOOO,OOO
excluding all civilian services of those departments
Programs authorized will carry 1t to still larger
figures in future years While the remuneration
paid soldiers and sailors Is justly at higher
rate than that OF any other country In the world
and while the cost OF subsistence Is higher yet the
total of expenditures Is in excess of those of
the most highly militarized nations OF the world.
Upon the conference shortly to be held in Lon
don will depend such moderation as We can make In
naval expenditure. If We shall be compelled to I'M
dertake the naval construction implied in the WASH
tngton treaty well other construction
which would appear to be necessary II no interna-
tional agreement be completed shall be
committed during the next six years TO construc-
ton expenditure OF upward of 81 200 900 900 besides
the necessary further increase in costs for annual
upkeep.
Army for Defense OHIy.D