departure in the world. It is a thought, an ideal, which has led to an
entirely new line of action. It will not be easy to maintain. Some
never moved from their old positions, some are constantly slipping back
to the old ways of thought and the old action of seizing a musket and
relying on force. America has taken the lead in this new direction, and
that lead America must continue to hold. If we expect others to rely on
our fairness and justice we must show that we rely on their fairness
and justice.

If we are to judge by past experience, there is much to be hoped for in
international relations from frequent conferences and consultations. We
have before us the beneficial results of the Washington conference and
the various consultations recently held upon European affairs, some of
which were in response to our suggestions and in some of which we were
active participants. Even the failures can not but be accounted useful
and an immeasurable advance over threatened or actual warfare. I am
strongly in favor of continuation of this policy, whenever conditions
are such that there is even a promise that practical and favorable
results might be secured.

In conformity with the principle that a display of reason rather than a
threat of force should be the determining factor in the intercourse
among nations, we have long advocated the peaceful settlement of
disputes by methods of arbitration and have negotiated many treaties to
secure that result. The same considerations should lead to our
adherence to the Permanent Court of International Justice. Where great
principles are involved, where great movements are under way which
promise much for the welfare of humanity by reason of the very fact
that many other nations have given such movements their actual support,
we ought not to withhold our own sanction because of any small and