MR CORDELL HULL’S SPEECH

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22355, 19 March 1938, Page 17

MR CORDELL HULL’S SPEECH

“PARALLEL ACTION WITH

OTHER POWERS”

ADHERENCE TO PRINCIPLES OP PEACE

(T7STTKB PKE99 ' TATIOir—COPTEISHT.) (Received March 18, 9 p.m.)

WASHINGTON, March 17.

The Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull), in an important address outlining the American position in international affairs, left unquestionable the inference that the United States is not only prepared to take parallel action in the Far East, but elsewhere. He declared that where this and other nations have common interests and objectives, the United States will “proceed along parallel lines.”

The speech was broadcast to other nations. American diplomatic representatives throughout nearly the whole world were previously appraised of its text. Mr Hull said: “The momentous question is whether the doctrine of force shall become enthroned again and bring in its wake inexorably international anarchy, or whether this and other peaceful nations, fervently attached to the principles underlying international order,, shall work unceasingly, singly, or through co-operation, to promote and preserve law, order, morality; and justice as unshakable bases of civilised international relations.

“Determined to Avoid Extremes” ‘The United States is determined to avoid extremes either of internationalism or isolationism, and steer a sound middle course. To waive our rights and permit our interests to lapse in- the face of their actual or threatened violation, and thereby to abandon our obligations in any important areas of the world, would be to invite disregard and violation of our rights and interests everywhere. For nations which seek peace to assume, with respect to each other, attitudes ol complete

aloofness would serve only to encourage and virtually invite on the part of other nations lawlessly inclined those policies and actions most likely to endanger peace. “We have consistently eollaboarated in the present Far Eastern, emergency with other peace-seeking nations in this manner. In this coL laboration there is not a trace of alliance or involvement of any sort. “The interest and concern of the United States are not measured alone by the number of American citizens residing in any particular country or the volume of investment or trade. There is a much broader and more fundamental interest, namely, the orderly process of international relationships. We continue to give our full and sincere adherence to the fundamental principles underlying international order, and will continue, wherever necessary and in every pracnrau, peaceful way, to co-operate witn. trie nations actuated by the same desires. , , “We will persevere m appropriate effects to safeguard our legitimate rights and interests m ev«ay part of the world, and we will, while scrupulously respecting the rights of others, insist on their respecting our rights.”