MORAL INFLUENCE

Taranaki Daily News, 28 October 1935, Page 5

MORAL INFLUENCE

AMERICAN LIMITATION NOTE SENT TO THE LEAGUE SYMPATHY IN SANCTIONS NEUTRALITY EMPHASISED By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec. 7.5 p.m. Washington, Oct. 26. In response to a memorandum outlining the action taken at Geneva in the dispute between Italy and Ethiopia Mr. Cordell Hull, secretary of State, to-day dispatched a note to the League of Nations. In effect it is a strong affirmation of the neutrality policy as embodied in the proclamations by the President, based on the legislation passed in the recent session of Congress.

In considerable detail Mr. Hull listed the steps the Government had taken before the opening of hostilities to remind tne prospective belligerents of their obligations under the Pact of Paris, and in this connection reiterated that America would continue to assert moral pressure for peace. The Note even goes so far as to tacitly approve League sanctions by stating: “The United States views with sympathetic interest the individual or concerted efforts of other nations to preserve peace or to localise and shorten the duration of the war.” It give no indication that Mr. Roosevelt would extend the list of implements of war subject to embargo to correspond with the League’s list

The Note states that the Government would undertake at all times to contribute to world peace “in every practical way,” but adds the significant phrase, “within the limitations of our foreign policy.” Carefully Mr. Hull refrains from making any direct commitments on the League’s efforts to halt the conflict. In fact the interest expressed in halting war is so drafted as to apply to any or all wars. The Note reiterates America’s intention to remain uninvolved and the desire for the early halting of hostilities.

League circles welcome Mr. Hull’s promise that the United States will exercise moral influence for peace, the terms of which exceed America’s response with regard to the Gran Chaco war, says a Geneva message. Therefore it is hoped the Note will influence Germany, Japan and Brazil.