Every success in limiting armaments is a sign that the will to achieve mutual understanding exists and every such success thus supports the fight for international law and order.

In almost every country there are elements of opinion which would welcome such a conclusion because they wish to return to the politics of the balance of power unrestricted and unregulated armaments international anarchy and preparation for war.

I came here as a practical man to talk not simply on the question of peace and war but to treat another question which is of hardly less importance - the enormous and burdensome standing armaments which it is the practice of modern Governments to sustain in time of peace.

I know of no more important subject to the peace of Europe and the world than the reasonable reduction of armaments especially in Europe and of naval armaments throughout the world.

I know that military alliances and armament have been the reliance for peace for centuries but they do not produce peace and when war comes as it inevitably does under such conditions these armaments and alliances but intensify and broaden the conflict.

Certain it is that a great responsibility rests upon the statesmen of all nations not only to fulfill the promises for reduction in armaments but to maintain the confidence of the people of the world in the hope of an enduring peace.

The question of armaments whether on land or sea is the most immediately and intensely practical question connected with the future fortunes of nations and of mankind.