Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-05-19
Hughes Discusses
Int'l. Relations
ALEXANDER Meet

6t valid tltleS acquired IN ACCORDANCE
With existing law and maintenance
III the sanctity Of contracts and of
tdequate means of enforcement of
them. is a fundamental question at
This time in connection with the pre-
servation of the essential bases of in
ternational intercourse, Secretary
Hughes declared in an address to-
night before the convention of cham
Der of commerce of the United States.
Nations may adopt what policies
they please for the future conduct
Of their local affairs" he added, but
if they seek international intercourse
they must perform international obli-
cations. When they have invited in
tercourse with other nations, have es-
tablished their laws under which
contracts have been made and prop
erty rights validy acquired they put
themselves outside the pale OF inter-
national intercourse if they enter up
on a policy Of confscation."
The address was delivered at the
concluding session Of the convention
which was marked this afternoon by
an address by President Harding.
During the day julius H. Barnes of
Duluth, Minnesota. was elected pres
ident and other officers were elected
Discussing the international confer
ence as a method of negotiations, Mr.
Hughes said it lis largely successful
in inverse proportion to its numbers
and to the extent that 1t represents
the common purpose of few who are
interested in a particular problem and
sincerely wish to find an appropriate
method OF solution"
The diplomacy of democratic peo-
pies, he said at another point, should
be open, candid and direct 1.-THE diff
iculty, however" he added, "of main
tanning an enlightened public opinion
with respect to international matters
is very great and it has been increa sed
in this country by the lack of general
interest, at least until very recently,
in foreign affairs. We have
only begun to think internationalIy
and we find the attitude Of the public
mind to be still ADJUSTED to the mag
nitude Of our financial power and to
the international interests which we
have suddenly accumulated as the
result of the World War;"
1T should be understood" he con-
tinued, that there are certain ines
capable limitations in the most
straightforward diplomacy. am
glad to say that in the dealings Of
this government with other powers
there are no intrigues, no hidden pur-
poses. no receptions. Nothing is done
or proposed which. so far as its essen
ton character is concerned, could not
be shouted from the housetops. But it
does not follow that in good faith and
with practical regard to results par
ticular steps can Immediately be made
public. One reason why methods of
diplomacy are sooften misunderstood
and criticized is that the necessary
| amenities of the intercourse with SOW
/ eregn states are not taken into con-
sidera ton"
He explained that he desired to pre-
sent some aspects of the work Of the
department. In this connection he said
that relations between the department
and business men .:involve a certain
| measure of reciprocity"
This government" he added. ais
not engaged in endeavoring to promote
the opportunities of chicanery, and
! business interests in their dealings
abroad are under patriotic obliga-
ton to maintain the prestige of their
country"
He appealed for the support of bust
ness men for the most efficient organ
ization of our diplomatic agencies"
say, 'the truth is. our foreign service
is undermined and underpaid"
What | have said as to the serv-
ice abroad applies also to the depart
ment," he added. There is need of
more and better paid officials to handle
important matters"
THE department of state" he con-
cluded. lis carrying the flag of the goth
its own essential sphere to what it
recognizes as the imperative demands
of American business. 1t aims at t. G
coordination of the work of all de-
partments bearing upon the same
great object of American prosperity
1t intends in it's contacts with foreign
governments to maintain the Ameri-
can tradition of candor and good faith
and at this difficult time it is earnest
~ DESTROYS Of aiding in the reestab-
lishment of stable conditions and thus
of contributing to the welfare of other
| peoples upon which our own prosperi-
ty must ultimately depend"