PEACE ADVOCACY

Hokitika Guardian, 3 January 1931, Page 5

PEACE ADVOCACY

BY MR HOOVER.

(United Preea Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). WASHINGTON, Jan. 1. As a gesture of peace throughout the new year, President Hoover to-day proclaimed the London Naval Treaty in effect for tin* United States. Ibe proclamation cited the effectiveness of the Five-Power Pact, and called attention to its provisions, linking the British Empire, Japan, Italy, France and the United States in bonds of goodwill.

MUSSOLINI BROADCASTS.

LONDON, Jan. 1. "The Times” says:—Signor Mussolini’s first- broadcast speech in English, in which language he has recently been taking lessons from an Englishwoman, was received in London, and was passed on to the United States by telephone.

The Italian Premier said that he •was most''anxious to contradict rumours that were spread abroad about Facism’s alleged danger to world peace. He had himself served in the ranks, and was severely wounded. The wartime’s terrible memories had never left him. As the head of the Government, every aspect of war’s terrible consequences were ever before hitu. Italy needed peace. • Faesim desired to co-operate with other peoples in seeking future prosperity and peace, Another outbreak between two Powers would inevitably become general, and would endanger civilisation,

Signor Mussolini, in a New Year’s interview, deelnrced that he would never make war unless he was first seized by the throat. He intended to lead a vigorous campaign for world peace. He asks:—“How could 1,, who served in the ranks, and saw war m its most horrible form, launch a whole nation into the horrors of another conflet.” He was anxious concerning the growth of armaments, which were increasing the danger of war in Europe. He resented ail impression, based on isolated extracts from his speeches, that he was pursuing an aggressive policy in European affairs.

ITALY’S NAVY. LONDON, Jan. 1. “The Times’s” Rome correspondent states any extension of the FrancoItnlinn naval holiday has*, obviously been abandoned. The newspapers give prominence to the list of vessels launched in 1930, totalling fifty-nine thousand tons, viz., six cruisers, -six submarines, and three destroyers; and they refer to units being launched in 1931, including a ten thousand ton cruiser, the “Pola,” which is being laid down in March. The papers emphasise the Italian determination to “achieve the constant growing efficiency rendered necessary b,v the present international situation.”