TOPICS OF THE DAY

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20375, 15 December 1937, Page 8

TOPICS OF THE DAY

National Isolation “ Theoretic-nllv a nation can isolate itself from tlic rest of the ■world. But, just as in the case of an individual who would lead a hermit existence, and of a family or a community which attempts to sesrouate itself, an inexorable price must be paid, and in the end paid through a lowering of their material, moral and spiritual standards. a There must be a firm belief in the inviolability of the pledged word. International law is not enforceable in ihe same sense as domestic law. “The observance of the duties whieh it imposes and the safeguarding of the rights whieh it confers rest primarily upon voluntarily accepted self-discipline on the part of the nations which are parties to it. •■Under modern conditions, no nation escapes the repercussions of n major armed conflict anywhere in the world. However far they may he removed from the seat of actual lighting, all nations feel their morale weakened by the horror of war, and their well-being impaired bv the processes of disruption and ruin, whieh spread in ever-enlarging circles from the territories being laid waste by war."—Mr Cordell Hull, U.S. Secretary of State.