Ultimately nations, like individuals, can not depend upon each other but must depend upon themselves.  Each one must work out its own salvation.  We have every desire to help.  But with all our resources we are powerless to save unless our efforts meet with a constructive response.  The situation in our own country and all over the world is one Chat can be improved only by bard work and self-denial.  It is necessary to reduce expenditures, increase savings and liquidate debts.  It is in this direction that there lies the greatest hope of domestic tranquility and international peace.  Our own country ought to finish the leading example in this effort.  Our past adherence to this policy, our constant refusal to maintain a military establishment that could be thought to menace the security of others, our honorable dealings with other nations whether great or small, has left us in the almost constant enjoyment of peace.

It is not necessary to stress the general desire of all the people of this country for the promotion of peace.  It is the leading principle of all our foreign relations.  We have on every occasion tried to cooperate to this end in all ways that were consistent with our proper independence and our traditional policies.  It will be my constant effort to maintain these principles, and to reinforce them by all appropriate agreements and treaties.  While we desire always to cooperate and to help, we are equally determined to be independent and free.  Right and truth and justice and humanitarian efforts will have the moral support of this country all over the world.  But we do not wish to become involved in the political controversies of others.  Nor is the country disposed to become a member of the League of Nations or to assume the obligations imposed by its covenant.

INTERNATIONAL COURT

America has been one of the foremost nations in advocating tribunals for the settlement of international disputes of a justiciable character.  Our representatives took a leading in those conferences which resulted in the establishment of e ague Tribunal, and later in providing for a Permanent Court of International Justice.  I believe it would be for the advantage of this country and helpful to the stability of other nations for us to adhere to the protocol establishing, that court upon the conditions stated in the recommendation which is now before the Senate, and further that our country shall not be bound by advisory opinions which may be, rendered by the court upon questions which we have not voluntarily submitted for its judgment.  This court would provide a practical and convenient tribunal before which we could go voluntarily, but to which we could not be summoned, for a determination of justiciable questions when they fail to be resolved by diplomatic negotiations.

DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE