The New York herald., 1922-05-19
TALKS ON BUSINESS
L. S. Chamber of Commerce
Votes for Part in Repa-
ratiOns Discussions.
LASKER ALSO A SPEAKER
j. III. Barnes Chosen President
at Annual Meeting in
Washington.

WASHINGTON, May 1S.-Recognition
of valid titles acquired in accordance
with existing law and the mainte-
nance of TIE sanctity of contracts and
of adequate means for enforcing them
is a fundamental question at this time
in connection with the preservation OF
the essential bases of international
intercourse. Secretary Hughes de-
clared in an address tonight before
the Chamber of Commerce of the
United States.
Nations, may ADOPT wEat policies
they please for the future conduct of
their local affairs" the Secretary Of
State added, "but If they seek inter-
national intercourse they must per-
form international obligations. When
they have invited intercourse with
other nations, have established their
laws under which contracts have been
made and property rights validly ac-
quired they put themselves outside
the pale of international intercourse
IL they enter upon a policy of confisca-
ton"
Discussing the international confer
ence as method of negotiations, Mr..
Hughes said il "is largely successful in
inverse proportion to its numbers and
to the extent that 1t represents the COM
mon purpose of few who are interested
in a particular problem and sincerely
wish to find an appropriate method Of
solution
Candid. Direct Diplomacy.
The diplomacy of democratic peoples,
he said at another point, should be open,
candid and direct The difficulty,
however, he added. 'iof maintaining an
enlightened public opinion with respect
to international matters is very great
by the lack of general interest. at least
until very recently, in foreign affairs.
We have only begun to think
internationally and we find the attitude
10 the magnitude 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 inescap-
able limitations In the most straight
forward diplomacy. I am glad to say
that in the dealings of this Government
with other Powers there are no in
trigues. no hidden purposes, no decep-
tons Nothing is done or proposed
which so far as its essential character
is concerned, could not be shouted from
the housetops. But 1t does not follow
that in good faith and with practical
regard to results, particular steps can
Immediately be made public. One rea-
son why methods of diplomacy are so
often misunderstood and criticized is
tercourse with sovereign States are not
taken into consideration"
Secretary Hughes explained In open
ing his address that he desired to pre-
l.sent some aspects of the work of the
department, and he discussed not only
the work but the organization at some
length In this connection he said that
relations between the department and
business men involve certain meas
ure of reciprocity" This Government, -
hes added. lis not engaged In endeavor-
ing to promote the opportunities OF CHI
canery, and business interests in their
dealings abroad are under a patriotic
obligation 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.
ing "the truth Is our foreign service Il
undermanned and underpaid."
What / have said as to the service
abroad applies also to the department, >
he added. There is need OF more and
better paid officials to handle important
matters.
THE Department of state" he con.
cluded. ''is carrying the flag OF the
twentieth century. II aims to be re.
sponsible In its own essential sphere tc
what IL recognizes as the imperative de.
mands OF American business II aims al
the coordination Of the work of all de.
partments bearing upon the same great
object OF American prosperity. II in
tends in its contacts with foreign Gov.
ernments TO maintain the American ira.
dition OF candor and good faith and al
this difficult time IL is earnestly desir.
Gus OF aiding in the reestablishment ot
stable conditions and thus of contribut.
ing to the welfare of other peoples upor
which our own prosperity must ulti.
mately depend"
Action by Chamber.
Representation OF the United states or
/ the Reparations Commission was urged
| by the chamber in a resolution. The
resolution declared that all necessar,
! measures, including approval by Con.
| gress. should be taken speedily"
The chamber also adopted a resoiu
| ton urging "that our Government
promptly take its place with the othe,
nations OF the world in the internationa
court OF justice"