The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-05-04
PRESIDENT urges
NEED OF CUTTING
I LAND ORNAMENTS
Hoover Says 5,5o0,ooo Men
Are Under Arms, 100000
in Reserve in U. s.

VI 1CulEt4O4A Al 46IlU AINld1UCUt 0I1O
urged businessmen to "insist that this
problem shall be met with sincerity,
courage and constructive action"
Proposals to decrease armament, he
said, transcend all others advanced
for world economic rehabilitation. He
interpreted the annual world expedt-
ture Of 5000, 900 900 on arms as not
only a threat to business recuperation
but "a serious contribution to all
forms Of instability, whether social.
political or economic"
While the United States Is not d.
rectly concerned about land force de-
creases, MI. Hoover said, I'VE have,
however, q vast indirect interest In
greater assurance Of peace, order and
the increased economic prosperity Of
other nations"
The text Of the presidents speech
follows:
II bid you welcome to the United
States. You have come from many
lands and at a time Of grave respon-
sibilities at home to participate in
discussions that will contribute to
world advancement. The consider
alton and discussion of worldwide
economic problems and Of the eco
nomic relations between nations by
men who have had to deal with the
results Of economic forces can be most
helpful to world understanding and
world cooperation in their solution.
Cites Interdependence
GVa T.. -->SN>-. Coo a 60 aNonH0 eliza
the high degree Of economic interde-
pendence of the world-we require no
more emphatic demonstration than
the present worldwide depression.
Although the United States enjoys q
far greater economic independence
than any other large country, yet we
have been gravely affected by world
forces.
The present depression Is COM
parable in its extreme depths and It's
extent only to those who have fol-
lowed about the same distance after
the former great wars In modern his
tory. This depression IS no doubt con-
tributed to by many very important,
immediate. economic causes to which
each of you will give different weight,
but I believe you will all agree with
me that the destruction of life and
property, the great tax burdens, and
the social and political instability
which resulted from the great war
have had large responsibility in its
origins.
"Over hree-quarters Of the COM
mercially important population OF the
world has been in q state OF social
and political upheaval at some time
even during the last three years. Al
though some secondary part Of this
political instability may have been the
result of immediate economic causes,
we IAN not ignore the malign inheri-
lance from the great war. These po-
litical and social disturbances neces-
sarily undermine that confidence on
which economic life, both domestic
and international, must thrive.
Emphasize Expenditures
"This is not an occasion for review
of the action and i~nteraction of such
a multitude of forces, but I do wish
to give emphasis to n OF these wal
i~nheritances in which international
cooperation can effect a major accom-
plishment in reducing the tax burdens
of the world, removing a primary
aus of unrest and establishing
greater confidence for the long future.
That Is the limitation and reduction
Of armament,
1.-THE world expenditure on all arms
Is now nearly five billions of dollars
yearly, an increase Of about 70 per
cent over that previous to the great
war. We stand today with nearly
$500, 900 men actively under arms and
20, 1000, 900 more in reserve. These vast
forces, greatly exceeding those OF the
pre-war period, still are to be de-
modified, even though IL years have
passed since the Armistice was signed.
because of fear and inability Of ma
lions to cooperate in mutual reduc-
lions. Yet we are all signatories to
the Kellogg BRAND pact by which we
have renowned war as an instrument
of national policy and agreed to set
tie all controversies by pacific means.
Surely with this understanding, the
self-defense Of nations could be as
sured with proportionately far less
military force than these.
This vast armament continues not
only q burden upon the economic re-
c~uperation Of the world. but, Of even
more consequence, the constan t
threats and fears which arise from
it are q serious contribution to all
forms of instability, whether social,
political, or economic.
"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 his gigan-
the waste of competition In military es-
Establishments is in the ultimate Of an
Importance transcendent all over
cher forms Of such economic effort.
Must Have Good win
international confidence cannot be
builded upon fear-it must be builded
upon good will. The whole history Of
the world is filled with chapters Of the
failure to secure peace through either
competitive arms or intimidation.
IT am not unaware Of the difficult
ties Of this question. No one would
suggest that either national defense
should be abandoned nor that 80 great
q task Is reasonable limitation and
reduction Of arms can be accomplish
ed over night.
We have made considerable pro-
gress in the limitation and reduction
Of naval arms. We have laid the
foundations for still further progress
in the future. These agreements
have contributed greatly to reduce the
BURDEN Of taxes and to establish con-
fidence and good will among the ma
lions, who have been signatory to
them.
within q short time the principal
nations Of the world will meet to dis
cuss the broad questions OF reduction
in land armament. The very calling
Of this conference is in itself not only
proof Of need but is an emphatic EVIL