Evening star., 1933-05-15
WILLING TO PROBE
IL. S. TRADE POLICIES
Hull Expects Other Nations
Also to Open Theirs to
Re.examination.

Secretary of State Hull said today
that in the forthcoming Economic Con-
ference he would be glad to re-examine
any practice, policy or method of this
Government which other countries
might think unfairly restrictive Of trade.
The Secretary said he would do this
Just as he would expect the represent
atives of other countries to re-examine
their own tariff and exchange policies.
His statement was made in response
to a question concerning the American
regulation which bars Argentine meat
on the ground 1t might spread the
hoof and mouth disease.
The Secretary told reporters that un-
less the nations together deal with trade
and exchange restrictions without de-
lay the world will gravitate rapidly to-
ward bankruptcy.
Politics Offer Handicap.
He conceded that domestic politics
both in the United States and in other
countries presented possible handicaps
which have to be considered.
Hull said the bi-lateral commercial
treaties entered into with various coun-
tries by Great Britain, France and other
nations indicated philosophy OF the
survival of the flttest and had brought
about an intolerable condition which
would compel leaders to join in the
united movement for RELIEF.
Asked whether this meant the BIZ
lateral agreements would have to he
undone. the Secretary replied that some
countries were in control of statesmen
who have not learned anything thus far.
There are various approaches to uni
fed action, he said, observing that the
nations might commence by pure BIZ
lateral tariff bargaining. or they might
lower tariffs relatively.
Sees Tariff Accord.
He also pointed to the possibility OF
agreement on regional tariff advantages
between neighbor1ng nations.
The Secretary advocated working for
the unconditional most favored nation
policy Of tariffs with as few conditions
as possible.
The Secretary announced that daily
henceforward economic discussions will
be held here at which will be heard va
rious of the AZ countries invited to ex
change views preliminary to the World
Conference through diplomatic channels.
The big point in this movement. Hull
said, is whether the nations, especially
| the more important commercial ma
tions. are going to develop will in this
position to join in an international
program of business recovery.
Once they do SO. he said, many
avenues of action appear. These. he
| said, include stabilization Of currencies
! and exchange.
The nations could enter permanent
agreement not to increase distractions
to movements of international capital
goods and services, Hull added, and
they could agree on methods of at
tacking the whole problem Of obstruc-
! items.
Asked whether all this could be ac-
complished at the conference which
, begins June II, Hull said the nations
could certainly formulate policies and
! develop the mechanics for gradually
| working out the problem.
Such measures, Hull said, would raise
price levels
A little later Hull conferred with
the Peruvian Ambassador in the first
of the Latin American economic con-
| versations since the talks were begun
with the special delegates two weeks
ago.