The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-05-16

rection of bringing practical results
through concerted action based
upon the greatest good to the great
est number
Before the imperative call of this
great duty" he said, petty obstacles
must be swept away and petty aims
forgotten"
Nations arm for two reasons, Mr..
Roosevelt said. A few wish to gain
the territories of their neighbors.
But the great majorities arm be-
cause they are afraid of invasion.
There is justification for this
fear" he said. Modern weapons of
offenSe are vastly stronger than
modern weapons OF defense.
IF all nations will agree wholly
to eliminate from possession and
use the weapons which make pos
sible a successful attack, defenses
automatically will become impreg-
nable and the frontiers and indie
pendence of every nation will be-
come secure"
Urges Immediate Reduction
Mr.. Roosevelt said that the ulti-
mate object of the disarmament
conference was to eliminate all Of
fensive weapons But pending that
future goal, he proposed the inn
mediate reduction of some Of these
weapons and the elimination of
many others"
The President then outlined this
sweeping program.
/. To take, at once, the first def
mite step toward this objective, as
broadly outlined in the Macdonald
plan.
2. To agree upon time and pro-
cedure for taking the following
steps
3. To agree that while the first
and following steps are being taken,
no nation shall increase its existing
armament over and above the
limitations of treaty obligations.
Action Is Demanded
But the peace of the world" he
added, must be assured during the
whole period of disarmament and
I, therefore, propose a fourth step
concurrent with and wholly de-
pendent upon the faithful fulfill
ment of these three proposals and
subject to existing treaty rights:
That all the nations of the world
should enter into a solemn and
definite pact of nonaggression; that
they solemnly should reaffirm the
obligations they have assumed to
limit and reduce their ornaments,
and, provided these obligations
faithfully are executed by all
signatory powers, individually agree
that they will send no armed force
of whatsoever nature across their
frontiers"
A single strong nation, the Pres
ident pointed out, may wreck this
program, and added significantly:
I urge that no nation assume
such a responsibility, and that all
the nations joined in these great
conferences disarmament and eco
nomic) translate their professed
policies into action.
Message Skaters Precedent
This" he said, lis the way to
political and economic peace.
Il trust that your government
will Join in the fulfillment Of these
hopes"
Today marks the second time
within a year than an American
President has thrown the weight
of the United States suddenly and
dramatically behind an effort to
rescue the tagging disarmament
! conference.
Almost exactly year ago, Presi-
dent Hoover, without warning, sent
the disarmament conference a pro-
posal for the reduction Of armies
and navies by one-third.
Italy accepted at once and other
powers indicated willingness to
I study the plan. But it persisted in
the maze of committees and talks
/ at Geneva.
Mr.. Roosevelt's action in the dis
armament sphere was, as 1t has
been in domestic matters, dramatic
/ and precedent shattering.
Instead Of making his proposal
directly to the disarmament con-
ference, the routine way, he ap-
pealed over the heads of the Gevena
diplomats directly TO the rulers Of
the world.