During the year there has been an extended political unrest in the world.  Asia continues in disturbed condition, and revolutions have taken place in Brazil, Argentina, Peru, and Bolivia.  Despite the jeopardy to our citizens and their property which naturally arises in such circumstances, we have, with the cooperation of the governments concerned, been able to meet all such instances without friction.

We have resumed normal relations with the new Governments of Brazil, Argentina, Peru, and Bolivia immediately upon evidence that they were able to give protection to our citizens and their property, and that they recognized their international obligations.

A commission which was supported by the Congress has completed its investigation and reported upon our future policies in respect to Haiti and proved of high value in securing the acceptance of these policies.  An election has been held and a new government established.  We have replaced our high commissioner by a minister and have begun the gradual withdrawal of our activities with view to complete retirement at the expiration of the present treaty in 1935.

A number of arbitration and conciliation treaties have been completed or negotiated during the year, and will be presented for approval by the Senate.

I shall, in a special message, lay before the Senate the protocols covering the statutes of the World Court which have been revised to accord with the sense of previous Senate reservations.

The White House,

December 2, 1930

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State of the Union Address
Herbert Hoover
December 8, 1931

To the Senate and House of Representatives: 

It is my duty under the Constitution to transmit to the Congress information on the state of the Union and to recommend for its consideration necessary and expedient measures.

The chief influence affecting the state of the Union during the past year has been the continued world-wide economic disturbance.  Our national concern has been to meet the emergencies it has created for us and to lay the foundations for recovery.

If we lift our vision beyond these immediate emergencies we find fundamental national gains even amid depression.  In meeting the problems of this difficult period, we have witnessed a remarkable development of the sense of cooperation in the community.  For the first time in the history of our major economic depressions there has been a notable absence of public disorders and industrial conflict.  Above all there is an enlargement of social and spiritual responsibility among the people.  The strains and stresses upon business have resulted in closer application, in saner policies, and in better methods.  Public improvements have been carried out on a larger scale than even in normal times.  The country is richer in physical property, in newly discovered resources, and in productive capacity than ever before.  There has been constant