The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-05-04

as his most vigorous interna-
he White House.
''It is within the power of
business men of the world" he
said, Ito insist that this prob
lem shall be met with SINGER
ity, courage and constructive
action. 1t is within the power
of statesmen to give the world
a great assurance for the
future and a great moral vic
tory for humanity"
His welcoming speech to the bust
ness leaders of many nations was
short, but it sounded a new note in
discussions about the troubles Of
the world.
The World war started the thing
in the first place, Mr.. Hoover main
tanned. It brought destruction Of
life and property, the great tax bur-
dress and social and political in
stability"
100000 Men Under Arms
Although the nations have signed
The Kellogg-Briand pact promising
not to resort to arms, they have, he
ADDED, nearly 5,5oo,00O men actively
under arms and 10000, 900 more in
reserve. The figures are an increase
of 10 per cent over the pre-war
period. The annual cost he estimated
at around five billion dollars.
Surely with this understanding"
he said referring to the pact, "the
self defense of nations could be as
sured with proportionately far less
military forces than these.
"TIlis vast armament continues
not only q, burden upon the eco
non1ic recuperation of the world,
but, of even more consequence, the
constant threats and fears which
arise from it are serious contrlou-
ton to all forms Of instability
whether social, political or &c
nomic."
Points Directly to Conference.
international confidence can not
be builded upon fear-it must be
builded upon good will he assert
ed. '"The whole history Of the
world is filled with chapter after
chapter of the failure to secure
peace through either competitive
arms or intimidation"
Turning directly to the coming
arms conference he added;
"The very calling Of this confer
ence is in itself not only proof OF
need. but is an emphatic evidence
of the progress in the world demand
for relief and peace.
"Of all the proposals for the
economic rehabilitation OF the
world, 7. know of none which com
uares in necessity or Importance
with the successful result Of that
conference"
U. S. Gravely Affected
cit is needless for me to en-
phasize the high degree Of economic
interdependence Of the world" said
Mr.. Hoover. 1--WE require no more
emphatic demonstration than the
present worldwide depression. AL
though the United States enjoys a
far greater economic independence
than any other large country, yet
We have been gravely affected by
world forces"
II am not unaware Of the diff
culties Of the disarmament ques-
tion," said Mr.. Hoover. mo one
would suggest that either national
defense should be abandoned nor
that SO great Z, task as reasonable
limitation and reduction of arms
can be accomplished over night.
I'VE have made considerable prog
ress in the limitation and reduction
of naval arms. We have laid the
foundation for still further progress
in the future. Those agreements
have contributed greatly to reduce
the burden of taxes and to estab-
lish confidence and good will among
the nations who have been sigma
tory to them"
Stresses Z. S. Viewpoint
'The United States has a less di-
rect interest in land armament re-
duction than any Of the large ma
tons because our forces already
have been demobilIzed and reduced
more than all others continued tina
President.
1--WE have, however, vast indi-
rect interest in greater assurance Of
i peace, order and the increased pros
perity Of other nations"
"Endeavor as we must in support
Of every proposal of international
economic cooperation that is just
to our respective peoples, yet we
must recognize that reduction of
this gigantic waste of competition
in military establishments is in the
ultimate Of an Importance tran
cendent over al other forms Of such,
economic effort