We go to London in a fine atmosphere and with a good spirit on the work of the commission, and we must preserve it, if we can, through the period of negotiations.

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…

I do not think that we have ever sent a delegation abroad that has had such a grasp on the essentials of what they are to undertake as this group of men have.

The difficulties in finding a basis are very great, but they are not insuperable.

The progress of peace for the world rests in a great measure upon the shoulders of the five delegations.

The whole occasion was merely to give them encouragement and the assurance of complete support from this side in any conclusions which they may come to.

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 in the world rests to a very great degree on the success of this Conference.

“There is a very great feeling of good will not only on the part of the people of the different countries but on the part of the governments themselves to the success of the Conference.

The technology and the complexities of the problem are such that we need hope for no immediate and quick results.

Permanent peace is never based on either taking advantage of or accepting a position of prejudice.