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Statement on the London Naval Conference.

January 07, 1930

THE PRESIDENT said:

"I am sure the whole Nation bids Godspeed to the American delegation that leaves tomorrow for the London Naval Arms Conference. The people and the governments of the five nations assembling at this meeting are sincerely desirous that agreement shall be brought about by which competition in construction of naval arms is brought to an end, and by which actual reduction in naval burdens of the world shall be accomplished. The difficulties of finding a basis that will be acceptable to five different nations are great, but they are not insuperable.

"The conclusions of the Conference must be such as to give a sense of security and satisfaction to each of the nations. Permanent peace is never based on either taking advantage of or accepting a position of prejudice.

"The technology and the complexities of the problem are such that we need hope for no immediate and quick results. To complete the Conference in 3 or 4 months would be, in itself, a great accomplishment, and we should not expect any hurried conclusions. It is the most important of international conferences of a great many years, and probably the most important for many years to come. The progress of peace for the world rests in a great measure upon the shoulders of the five delegations. There is good will toward the Conference on the part of every nation. The importance and the gravity of the occasion have been recognized in the dispatch to London of the leading men of every country. They have the will to succeed.

"I hope that the people of our country will cooperate in the progress of the Conference by patience, encouragement, and freedom from criticism. We go to London in a fine atmosphere of international good will, and it is the duty of our country to preserve that atmosphere so far as lies within our power."

Note: The London Naval Conference was in session from January 21 to April 22, 1930. The American delegates and advisers attending the Conference were:

DELEGATES

HENRY L, STIMSON, Secretary of State
CHARLES G. DAWES, Ambassador to Great Britain
CHARLES F. ADAMS, Secretary of the Navy
HUGH S. GIBSON, Ambassador to Belgium
DWIGHT W. MORROW, Ambassador to Mexico
JOSEPH T. ROBINSON, United States Senator
DAVID A. REED, United States Senator

ADVISERS

ADM. WILLIAM V. PRATT
HUGH R. WILSON, Minister to Switzerland
REAR ADM. HILARY P. JONES (RET.
ARTHUR WILSON PAGE

J. THEODORE MARRINER, Chief of the Division of Western European Affairs, Department of State
RAY ATHERTON, Counselor of Embassy in Great Britain
GEORGE A. GORDON, Counselor of Embassy in France
GEORGE RUBLEE
LT. COL. CHARLES BURNETT

Herbert Hoover, Statement on the London Naval Conference. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/210271

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