Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-11
HOOVER DECLARES
D|SARMIHG GOAL
Peace Caravan Presents Pc
( tition Bearing Signatures
of 10000 Citizens.

A common goal OF world disarmament
Is the objective of the leaders of the
nations, President Hoover said yester-
day upon being presented with $780,
n00-signature petition borne across the
continent by members of the Women'S
international League for Peace and
Freedom urging universal disarmament.
In 200 automobiles placarded with
World Disarmament" banners, the
peace delegation, numbering 500, rolled
up to the White House, completing a
California to- Washington tour The
petition car of the caravan, started
from Hollywood last June had trav-
eled 10000 miles, visiting IS States and
125 cities.
Received in East Room.
Standing in the ornate east room of
the White House, the Chief Executive
listened to speeches by leaders Of the
organization in presenting the petition.
Ihey asked for vast cuts in Armament
. expenditures.
Il appreciate deeply your coming to
me- Mr.. Hoover replied, speaking in
a quiet, even tone. You realize as we'll
as I the favorable attitude of the Presi-
dent on the limitation of world arma-
ments. I am grateful for your effort
to mobilize public opinion. No head of
q government can go beyond the sup
port that can be gained from public
opinion in a world where democracy
rules
There is no statesman at TIE head of
any government in the world today
that has not expressed himself as de-
Sirous Of attaining these ends.
I am glad to receive your petitions
and will act as their custodian until
you wish to use them elsewhere"
No Mention of War Debts.
The President made no mention of
war debts and reparations, a subject
that has been interlocked with disarm-
ament in recent weeks. Mr.. Hoover
intends to demand a reduction of Eu-
ropes military and naval expenditures
before he comedies the nations of that
continent any further financial relief.
Jane Adams, 71year old Chicago
settlement worker and founder of the
league, stepped stanchly at the head
OF the delegation as it entered the
White House. In clear, strong voice
she pictured to President Hoover the
worldwide peace petition campaign of
the organization.
I'VE admire your effort toward dis
armament" she said, and we come
here in the hope that it might inf1u-
ence the opinion Of the world"
Taft's Daughter Speaks.
She introduced Mrs Helen Taft Man.
ming, dean of Bryn Mawr College, as
the Miss Helen" of the Taft admins
tration. Mrs. Manning made her plea
Tor disarmament in its relation to I'M
employment.
Never in the worlds history" she
said, has there been more reason to
look for united effort by all nations to
end war"
With the disastrous effects of the
last war still psrceptible on every side,
with national government everywhere
facing stupendous deficits. with men
and women facing restitution and
starvation as result of economic dis
location following war, surely we may
hope that the petty rivalries which
stood in the way of better international
understanding may disappear"
Miss Cook Drives Car.
The Petitions Car" driven by Miss
Dorothy Cook of Washington, who has
been with the caravan throughout its
transcontinental journey, arrived at the
District line yesterday morning, bring
ing as passengers Miss Adams of Hull
House and international president of
the Women's League, Mrs. Hannah
Clothier Hull of Swarthmore, Pa, ma
tlonal chairman: Miss Katherine
Devereux Blake of New York, member
OF the national board and also a trans
continental crusader, and Miss Mabel
vernon OF Wilmington, leader of the