The Washington times., 1929-12-03
Foreign Relations

We are not only at peace with
the world, but the foundations
for future peace are being sub
stantially streng thened. To
promote peace is our long-es-
tabliShed policy.
In January. 1926. the Senate
gave it's consent TO adherence
to The Court of international
Justice with certain reserva-
tons. In September of this
year the statute establishing
the court has, by the action of
the nations signatory, been
amended to meet the Senate's
reservations and to go even b.
yond those reservations to make
clear that the court is a true
international court Of justice.
1 believe it will be clear to
everyone that no controversy
or question in which this coun.
try has or claims an interest
can be passed on by the court
without our consent at the time
the question arises. The doubt
about advisory opinions has
been completely safeguarded.
Our adherence to the Internal
ional Court is, as now constitu-
ted. not the slightest step to-
ward entry into the League Of
Nations. AS I have before indi-
Gated. I shall direct that our
signature be affixed to the pro
tocol of adherence and shall
submit it for the approval OF
the Senate with a special mes
sage at some time when it is
convenient to deal with it.
In the hope of reducing fric-
ton in the world, and with the
desire that we may reduce the
great economic burdens OF
naval armament, we have
Joined in conference with Great
Britain, France, Italy, and
Japan to be held in London in
January to consider the fur
ther limitation and reduction Of
naval arms. We hold high
hopes that success may attend
this effort.
Marines Still On Duty
We still have marines on for
eign soil-in Nicaragua. Haiti,
and China. In the large sense
we do not wish to be represented
abroad in such manner.
Ny.A:o~I nnfnrsA
Our Army and Navy are be-
ing maintained in a most eff
Gent state under officers OF
high intelligence and zeal. The
extent and expansion Of their
numbers and equipment as at
present authorized are ample
for this purpose.
We can we'll be deeply con-
cerned. however, at the grow
ing expense. From a total ex-
penditure for national defense
purposes in 1914 of 1857 900, 900,
it naturally rose with the Great
War, but receded again 10
1912 900. 900 in 1924. when again
it began to rise until during
the current fiscal year the ex-
penditures will reach to over
$3.50 5000 excluding all civil.
Ian services of those depart
mentS.
The total Of our expenditures
is in excess of those Of the
most highly militarized nations
of the world.
Under the Kellogg pact we
have undertaken never to use
war as an instrument Of ma
tional policy. We have, there
fore, undertaken by covenant to
use these equipments solely for
defensive purposes. From a de-
tense point of view our forces
should be proportional to ma
tional need and should, there
fore, to some extent be modl-
fled by the prospects of peace,
which were never brighter than
today.
Finances of Government
The public debt on June so
this wear stood at $16.931 ,000,'
900. compared to the maximum
in August, 1919, of $685.,
100000, Since June 30 it has
been reduced by q further
$23s,OOO,O0O.
In the budget to be sub
mitted the total appropriations
recommended for the fiscal
year 1881 are $3.50, 445, 231, as
compared to $3,976,141,651 for
the present fiscal year.
We can not fail to recognize
the obligations of the Govern
ment in support of the public
welfare but we must cOinci'
dentally bear in mind the bur
den of taxes and strive to find
relief through some tax re-
duction.
Tax Reduction
The estimate submitted TO me
by the Secretary of the Treas
ury and the budget director
indicates that the Government
will close the fiscal year 1880
with q surplus Of about 1925
100000 and the fiscal year 1881
with a surplus Of about 1928
100000. Owing to unusual cir
cumStanceS, it has been
extremely difficult to estimate
future revenues with accuracy.
1 believe, however, that TIE
Congress will be fully justified
in giving the benefits of the
prospective SURPRISES to the
taxpayers, particularly as am
pie provision for debt reduction
has been made in both years
Aiarnnnh Tho form of doht "a