ARMISTICE DAY

Hokitika Guardian, 13 November 1928, Page 3

ARMISTICE DAY

MR, COO RIDGE'S A DDR ESS

REV JEW OF U.S. ATTITUDE

(United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copy r igh t).

WASHINGTON. Nov. 11. Air Cool id go in an Armistice ]>ay address liere made an important announcenient of foreign policy. The President recounted the American ■ achievements of arms in the war and said:—“United States was the only country after the conflict that had much reserve power left. Our resources delivered Europe from starvation and* ruin.” He denied United States made a profit out of the war. United States expenditures on the conflict would probably total one hundred thousand million dollars or half the entire wealth of the country when it entered the war. America’s benefits from the war were not material hut spiritual. The people are awake to the drumbeat of the new destiny. Every . dictate of humanity constantly erics aloud that we do not want any more war. The questions before tho League of Nations are how to prevent war and how to defend ourselves if it comes. We do not know any nation winch has ever been able to provide arms enough always to ho at peace. It is our duty to ourselves and the cause of civilisation, to the preservation of domestic tranquility, to our orderly, lawful relations with foreign people, to maintain an ade- ■ '(j’vSte army and navy. Wo do not need a largo land force. The situation is different when we turn to the sea. The President recounted the long coastline, foreign commerce, unsurpassed in importance and foreign investments to protect, and added:— “But we are also bound bv international treaty to defend Panama Canal. We require because we have few fuel stations, ships of large tonnage and having scarcely any merchant vessels capable of mounting five or six inch guns, it is obvious that based on 'our need we are entitled to a. larger number of ’warships than a nation having those advantages. e called the Washington Conference for the purpose of a naval agreement. Tt no doubt has some significance that foreign governments made agreements limiting the class of combat vessels in which we were superior. We made altogether the heaviest sacrifice in scrapping work which was already in existence. That should ever remain, not only a satisfaction to ourselves but a demonstration to others of our good faith in advocating the principles of limitations.” ■ The President referring to the conference between Britain, Japan, and UrtHed States said: “United States proposed the limitation of cruiser tonnage of 250 thousand to 300 thousand British. As near as wo could figure out their proposal asked for from 425 'thousand to 600 thousand. No agreement was made as it appeared useless to us to agree to so large a tonnage which constitutes, not a limitation, but an extension of war fleets. Referring to the rejection of the Anglo-French agreement the President.said:—“Had we not done so the French army and English navy would have been so near to unlimited that the principle of limitations would bo virtually abandoned.” Air Coolidge praised the outlawry of the war treaty,"while recognising to the fullest, the duty of self-defence and the undertaking, as no human ingenuity could undertake absolute guarantee ■against war. It is most complete and will be the most effective instrument for peace ever devised. can only say that this the host that mortal man can do. It is beside the mark to argue that we should put no faith ill it.

Taking np reparations and war debts, Mr Coolidge said:—“We bare heard an impressive amount of discussion concerning our duty to Europe*. Wo do have .such duties hut they waro mutual.” He declared Amcricrins loans to Germany have enabled her to pay reparations, but thero is little reason for sending capital abroad while rates for money in London and Paris are four or five per cent, while in United States they are much higher.

England is placing very considerable loans abroad. France has had large credits abroad, some of which have been called home. Both are making very largo outlays for military purposes. Europe on the whole lias, arrived at a state of financial prosperity and stability where it cannot bo said, we arc called on to help or act, much beyond strict business basis. The needs of our own people require that any further advances by us have tho most careful consideration. It would not only bo selfish hut entirely unenlightened view for United States not to wish Europe to prosper. We want tho investment of life money which wo made there to he to their benefit. We should like to have our Government debts all settled, 'though it is probable that we could better afford to lose- them than our debtors could afford not to pay them. It has always boon plain that Europe and United States are lacking in mutual understanding. We aro prone to think they can do a s we can do. We are not interested in their age old animosities. Wo have not suffered from centuries of violent hostilities. Wo do not see how difficult it is for them to displace distrust- in each other. They on tho other hand appear to think that wo are going to do exactly what they would do if they had our chance. Declaring America is against imperialism, the President said: “America’s outlying possessions, ' with the

exception of Panama Canal are hindrance, not an advantage. If v.e could secure more complete reciprocity in goodwill, the final liquidation of tlie balance of our foreign debts, and such further limitations ol armaments as would he commensurate with the treaty renouncing war. our confidence in effectiveness ol any additional efforts on our party io assist in the further progress ol Europe would be greatly increased.”

PRAYERS OF POPULACE

ARMISTICE DAY CELEBRATED

ROME. Nov. 12

Catania reports state that, despite the eruption, the population of Sicily loyally celebrated Victor Emmanuels birthday, which coincided with the Armistice on the Italian front. Meanwhile the religious lervour in the devastated regions has redoubled. Votive offerings are made at the altars and include precious stones aim workmens tools. Pious processions, carrying images and relics, take place amid awe-inp.siring scenes, lit at night by torches and by the glow of the molten lava. In this atmosphere a statue of the Madonna of the Annunciation was brought out at midnight and wa* placed facing the advancing lava. The members of the procession knelt the ground, imploring the Madonna to intercede with the Almighty, plead ing for a miracle to stop the 'incessant eruption. The efforts were unavailing and finaly the statue was hurriedly loaded on a lorry and driven off to escape destruction.

U.S. A. CELEHiPi ATfOXS

WASHINGTON'. November 11

Armistice Day observances throughout the United Stair's concentrated at. the tomb of I lie Unknown Soldier here. The .National Cemetery was crowded throughout the day by visitors hearing floral offerings, from flu 1 President and others officials to ordinary cit icons. The American l.egion and oilier organ! sat ions field services in the principal cities. President Coolidge, Mr Kellogg, and others addressed audiences on the preservation of peace.

The two minutes silence was observed throughout South America, where Frenchmen, Britishers. and Americans gathered to pay respects at eleven, as dhl the citizens of pnu tital!v all countries, whether directly engaged in the war or not.

R E A LEAF BE ANTE FESTIVAL

LONDON. November 11

Thousands of ex-service men and thousands of widows and other women in deep mourning, attended the Remembrance Festival, and ovationed Their -Majesties when a fanfare of State trumpets announced the arrival of the King and Queen, accompanied by -.ic Duke and Duchess of York. A trench ran down the centre of the hall, and the stage was fashioned to represent a, dugout. giving a point to the community singing of such wartime favourites as “Tipperary.” “ Keep the Home Fires Burning.” and old-time catchwords, such as “ Are we downhearted?” and thunderous answers of “No.” These were lighter episodes, but deeper emotions were stirred when the lights were dimmed, and such memorial music as Chopin s I 1 uiioi.il March were played by massed Guards' bands, and flic hymns “ 0 God Our Help,” and “ Abide "With Ale ” were sung.