FORCE CONDEMNED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22991, 19 March 1938, Page 16

FORCE CONDEMNED

AMERICAN POLICY AVOIDANCE OF EXTREMES FAR EAST COLLABORATION 1 MR. CORDELL HULL'S ADDRESS $ ' By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright NEW YORK, March 17 ' Washington the Secretary of State, " Mr. Cordell Hull, outlined the : United States' position in international affairs. 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. Mr. Hull's address left the unquestionable inference that tho United States is not only prepared to take parallel action in tho Far East, but • also elsewhere in the sense "that where this and other nations have common interests and objectives, and in deal- • ing with problems confronting each alike, they should be able to proceed along parallel lines." Outlining in detail the disturbed conj ditions in tho 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 jvhether this and other peaceful nations fervently attached to the principles which underlie international order, shall work unceasingly, singly or in cooperation with each other, as tho circumstances, their traditional policies and practices and their enlightened self-interest may dictate, to promote | and preserve law and order, morality I and justice as tho unshakeable bases ! of civilised international relations." A Sound Middle Course I Stressing the point that the United J States is determined to avoid extremes, J either of internationalism or in isolationism, and to steer a sound middle course between those 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 servo only to encourage disregard for the law and tho basic principles of international order, and thus contribute to tho inevitable spread of international anarchy throughout the world. "For this country or for any country to act in this way anywhere would be to invite a disregard and violation of its rights and interests everywhere." Mr. Hull outlined the various items of American foreign policy, stressing the loweiing and removal of barriers to international trado and the limitation and reduction of armaments. "Prudence and common sense dictate," ho said, "that where this and other nations have common interests and a common objective, we should not hesitate to exchange information and confer with tho Governments of such 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. Policies Endangering Peace "For nations which seek peace to assume, with respect to each other, attitudes of complete aloofness would serve only to encourage and virtually invito on the part of other nations lawlessly inclined policies and actions most likely to endanger peace. "Wo have consistently collaborated in" the present Far-Eastern emergency with other peace-seeking nations in this manner, and 1 repeat that in this collaboration there is not a trace ol" alliance or involvement of any 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 by the number of American citizens residing in any particular country, or the volume of our investment or trade there. "It is a much broader and more fundamental interest, namely, the orderly processes of international relationships. What is most at stake today throughout the world is the future of fundamental order, as opposed to international anarchy. Forces of Militarism Odious "We want to live in a world in which the forces of militarism, territorial nggrossion and international anarchy ill general will become utterly odious, revolting and intolerable to the conscience of mankind, and in which there will no longer be one code of morality, honour, justice and fair play for the individual, and an entirely different code for governments and nations, and to that end we will continue to give full and sincere adherence to the fundamental principles which underlie international order. "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 arc pursuing the same objectives. We will persevere in appropriate efforts to safeguard our legitimate rights and interests in every part of the world, and we will, while scrupulously respecting the rights of others, insist on their respecting our rights," he concluded.