UNITED STATES AGAINST FORCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 65, 18 March 1938, Page 7

UNITED STATES AGAINST FORCE.

FOREIGN POLICY. Hand in Hand With Other ! Peace-Seeking Nations. NOT AN ALLIANCE. I'niteu Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 1:2.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, March 17. In an important address at Washington—the speech was broadcast to all nations and the text of it had previously been sent to American diplomats in virtually all parts of the world —the Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, outlined America's position in international affairs. His address left the unquestionable inference that the United States is not only prepared to take parallel action in the Far East but also elsewhere, in the sense, "that where this and other nations have common interests and objectives and in dealing with problems confronting each alike, they should be able to proceed along parallel lines." Outlining iu detail the disturbed conditions in the world. Mr. Hull continued: "The momentous question is whether the doctrine of force shall become enthroned again and bring in its wake, inexorably, international anarchy and a relapse into barbarism, or whether this and other peaceful nations fervently attached to the principles which underlie international order shall work unceasingly. singly or in co-operation with each other, as the circumstances, their traditional policies and practices and their enlightened self-interest may dictate, to promote and preserve law and order, morality and justice as the utishakeable bases of civilised international relations." Avoiding Extremes. Stressing the point that the United States is determined to avoid extremes, either of internationalism or in isolationism. and to steer a sound middlecourse between these extremes. Mr. Hull said: "To waive our rights and permit our interests to lapse in the face of their actual or threatened violation, and thereby abandon our obligations in any important areas in the world, can serve only to encourage disregard for the law and the basic principles of international order, and thus contribute to the inevitable spread of international anarchy throughout the world. For this ccfuntrv or for any country to act in this way anywhere would be to invite a disregard and violation of its rights and interests everywhere."

He outlined the various items of American foreign policy, stressing tlie lowering and removal of barriers to international trade and the limitation and reduction of armaments. "Prudence and common sense dictate,"' lie said, '"that where this and other nations have common interests and a common objective we should not hesitate to exchange [ information and confer with the Clov- [ ernments of sucli other nations, and. dealing with problems confronting each alike, to proceed along parallel lines, with this Government retaining at all times its independence of judgment and freedom of action—for nations which seek peace to assume, with respect to each other, attitudes of complete aloofness would serve only to encourage and virtually invite on the part of other nations, lawlesslv inclined, policies and actions most likely to endanger peace. Not an Alliance. "We have consistently collaborated in the present Far Eastern emergency with other peace-seeking nations in this manner, and I repeat that in this collaboration there is not a trace of alliance or involvement of anv sort. "The interest and concern of the United States, whether in the Far East or in any other part of the Pacific or Europe or elsewhere, are not measured alone bv the number of American citizens residing in any particular country or the volume of our investment or trad-» there. It is a much broader and more fundamental interest, namely, the orderly processes of international relationships. What is most at stake to-day throughout the world is the future of fundamental order, as opposed to international anarcliv. I "We want to live in a world in which the forces of militarism, territorial aggression and international anarchy in general will become utterlv odious, revolting awl intolerable to the conscience of mankind, and in which there will no loncrer be one code of morality, honour, justice and fairplnv for the individual and an entirely different code for «overnments and nations, and to that en-1 we will continue to cive full nnd sincre j adherence to the fundament:'! urinciples I which tmderlie international order. Rights Must Be Respected. ' "We will continue wherever necessary . and in every practical peaceful way to co-operate with other nations which are actuated by the same desires and are pursuing the same objectives. We will persevere in appropriate efforts to safeguard ot:r legitimate rights and intere-t, ill every part of the world, and wr will, while scrupulously respecting iin- lights if others. iiiM-t on tlieir respecting our right = ,'' ]ip concßided.