The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1929-03-07

! snare as nation toward the ad-
vancement of civilization. 1t will do
that not by mere declaration but by
taking practical part in supporting
all useful international undertakings.
We do not only desire peace with the
world, but to see peace maintained
throughout the world. We wish to
advance the reign of justice and rea-
son toward the extinction of force.
The recent treaty for the renuncia-
ton of war as an instrument of ma
i tional policy sets an advanced stand
ard in our conception of the relations
Of nations. It's acceptance should
pave the way 20 greater limitation
of armament, the offer of which we
sincerely extend to the world. But
its full realization also implies a
greater and greater perfection in the
instrumentalities for pacific settle
ment of controversies between ma
tions. In the creation and use of
these instrumentalities we should
support every sound method of con-
citation, arbitration and judicial set
Element American statesmen were
among the first to propose and they
have constantly urged upon the
world the establishment of tribunal
for the settlement of controversies of
justifable character. The perma-
net court of international justice in
its major purpose is thus peculiarly
identified with American ideals and
with American craftsmanship. No
more potent instrumentality for this
purpose has ever been coceived and
no other is practicable of establish
ment. The reservations placed upon
our adherence should not be misin-
terpreted The United States seeks
by these reservations no special privi-
lege or advantage but only to clarity
our relation to advisory opinions and
other matters which are subsidiary
to the major purpose of the court.
The way should, and believe will,
be found by which we may take our
proper place in a movement so fun
damental to the progress of peace.
Political Entanglements
Our people have determined that
we should make no political engage
ments such as membership in the lea
que of nations, which may commit us
in advance as a nation to become in
volved in the settlements of contro-
VERSES between other countries. They
adhere to the belief that the indepen-
dence of America from such obliga-
tions icreases it's ability and availa-
bility for service in all fields of hui
man progress.
l have lately returned from a jour
ney among our sister republics of the
western hemisphere. l have received
unbouded hospitality and courtesy as
their expression of friendliness to
our country. We are held by partic-
ular bonds of sympathy and common
interest with them. They are each of
them building racial character and a
culture which is an impressive con-
tribution to human progress. We
wish only for the maintenance of
their independence, the growth of
their stability and their prosperity.
While we have had wars in the west
ern hemisphere yet on the whole the
record is in encouraging contrast with
that of other parts of the world. For
tunately the new world is largely
free from the inheritances of fear and
distrust which have so troubled the
old world. We should keep it so.
Permanent Peace
1t is impossible, my countrymen, to
speak of peace without profound
emotion. In thousands of homes in
America in millions of homes around
the world, there are vacant chairs.
1t would be shameful confession of
our unworthiness if it should develop
that we have abandoned the hope for
which all these men died Surely civil
lization is old enough, surely mankind
is mature enough so that we ought in
our lifetime to find a wey to perma-
nent peace. Aboard, to west and
east, are nations whose sons mingled
their blood with the blood of our sons
on the battlefelds. Most of these ma
lions have contributed to our race,
to our culture, our knowledge and
our progress. From one of them we
derive our very language and from
many of them much of the genius of
our institutions. Their desire for
peace is as deep and sincere as our
own.
Peace can be contributed to by re-
spect for our ability in defense. Peace
can be promoted by the limitation
of arms and by the creation of the in
strumentalities for peaceful settle
ment of controversies. But it will
become reality only through self
restraint and active effort in friendli-
ness and helpfullness. l covet for
this administration record of hav-