REPORT OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL. 1 33 



Whatever position we assume, there can be no doubt that we of the 

 Americas will present a united front to the nations of the world. Our 

 traditions forbid us to believe otherwise than that our position will be 

 based upon justice and that we shall maintain the right as God gives us 

 to see the right. I^et our courage be reassured by the confidence that 

 our conduct as members of the family of nations will conform to the 

 obligations of those fundamental canons of international law that appeal 

 to the enlightened conscience of mankind. It is only thus, when "the 

 earth is full of anger and the seas are dark with wrath," that we can 

 maintain our equanimity and promote our peaceful purposes. 



The President of the United States has placed his country upon the 

 unassailable ground of law and humanity, and there we appeal to the 

 peoples of Latin America to stand with us, unshaken and unshakable 

 in his support. 



Some day the opportunity may come — and we all fervently pray it may 

 soon come — when he can offer as the spokesman of all America a sugges- 

 tion that may find lodgment in the mind and heart of the peoples of the 

 world. This voice when spoken must be the voice of a virile people who, 

 with no selfish ends to subserve and purpose of aggression or aggrandize- 

 ment, stand for law and justice and the broad humanities that underlie 

 our civilization. Let our motto be, "Humanity over all." We must be 

 ready to defend, if needs be, the position we have taken, and prepare 

 ourselves, not for war, but, as has been happily said, against war. 



There is nothing inconsistent with our character as a peace-loving 

 Nation in so strengthening ourselves that we will be listened to with 

 respect when we speak — at the right time; at the right moment — the 

 word that shall attract the attention it deserves. 



In order that we may do this, I venture to say that it is our duty so 

 to strengthen our sea power, south as well as north, that we may protect 

 the commerce that traverses the high seas and the ocean paths that are 

 open to all neutral nations, and that we of the United States must so 

 strengthen our Army that it may serve as the nucleus upon which the 

 citizen soldiery of the States may be built into an efficient army of 

 defense. These, I believe, are the sentiments which are felt in the hearts 

 of the American people as they hold up the olive branch of peace to the 

 nations of the world. 



International law has not perished in this great cataclysm in Europe. 

 It is revered and observed in all the Americas. "Though all we knew 

 depart," the old commandments stand. The moral law of the decalogue 

 is violated every day, but its obligations still assert themselves in the 



