That's what the holidays are for - for one person to tell the stories and another to dispute them. Isn't that the Irish way?

To avoid entangling alliances has been a maxim of our policy ever since the days of Washington and its wisdom no one will attempt to dispute.

In short it may be said that on paper the obligations to settle international disputes peacefully are now so comprehensive and far-reaching that it is almost impossible for a state to resort to war without violating one or more solemn treaty obligations.

To become properly acquainted with a truth we must first have disbelieved it and disputed against it.

If a man has been his mother's undisputed darling he retains throughout life the triumphant feeling the confidence in success which not seldom brings actual success along with it.

Several studies and a number of public statements by senior military and political personalities testify that - except for disputes between the present nuclear states - all military conflicts as well as threats to peace can be dealt with using conventional weapons.

Each one of these treaties is a step for the maintenance of peace an additional guarantee against war. It is through such machinery that the disputes between nations will be settled and war prevented.

I have known war as few men now living know it. It's very destructiveness on both friend and foe has rendered it useless as a means of settling international disputes.

I shall never be a heretic I may err in dispute but I do not wish to decide anything finally on the other hand I am not bound by the opinions of men.

I know war as few other men now living know it and nothing to me is more revolting. I have long advocated its complete abolition as its very destructiveness on both friend and foe has rendered it useless as a method of settling international disputes.