THE PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 37 



definition of ' conditional contraband ' would still remain as a cause for 

 international friction. 



A formula, still simpler but equally efiective, is indicated by this 

 review of the new situation arising from the essential use of minerals. It 

 is suggested, therefore, as an amendment to Senator Capper's resolution, 

 that the simple words ' mineral products ' be substituted for ' arms, 

 munitions, implements of war or other articles for use in war.' 



The only two nations that can fight for long on their own natural 

 resources are the British Empire and the United States. If they agree 

 in refusing to export mineral products to those countries that infringe the 

 Kellogg Pact, no war can last very long. As our friends across the Atlantic 

 have recently learnt, it is easier to stop exports than to prevent imports : 

 the Customs' officer is more effective, less expensive and far less dangerous 

 than a blockading fleet. 



The confederation of American States has the advantage of forming a 

 compact geographical unit, without inter-State fiscal barriers to hamper 

 the interchange of mineral products. The British Empire, in the words 

 of Principal Nicholas Murray Butler, ' has passed by natural and splendid 

 evolution into the British Commonwealth of Nations ' ; it is composed of 

 geographically scattered and independent political units, among which 

 freedom of interchange, with due regard to local interests, can be effected 

 safely only by more complete knowledge of our rcaources. Next year the 

 Empire Congress of Mining and Metallurgy will meet in this city to discuss 

 the proposition which I submitted to it at Montreal in 1927 ; and this 

 Address must be regarded, therefore, as an introduction to a movement 

 which one hopes will supply the necessary data, and so facilitate a working 

 agreement between the two great Mineral Powers that alone have the 

 avowed desire and the ability to ensure the peace of the world. 



