Evening star., 1933-05-22

delegates is contemplated by the Presi-
dent. who is awaiting word from Senator
Johnson Republican) of California.
While Washington eagerly awaited
international reaction to the statement
of policy outlined at Geneva, Hull de-
scribed 1t to reporters as meaning that
this Government retains to itself free
dom Of action and decision.
This Interpretation was in response
to requests for elaboration of the atti-
tude expressed in Davis speech In re-
gard to cases of aggression.
Prominent in first Washington re-
actions to the Davis exposition was a
sentiment that the administration had
steered a course between the always
present demands in Congress that the
United States keep clear of foreign en-
tanglements and insistence Of foreign
nations that this country alter its policy
to assure them security against attack
in return for the arms they are asked
to sacrifice.
The heart of the Davis declaration
was seen as the paragraph stating that
II substantial arms reduction is ef-
fected, the United States is willing to
consult ether nations in case Of
threat to peace.
Moct significance was attached to this
sentence:
Further than that, in the event
that the states. in conference, de-
termine that state has been guilty of
a breach of the peace in violation of
its international obligations and take
measures against the violator. then. if
we concur in the judgment rendered as
to the responsible and guilty party, we
will refrain from any action tending
to defeat such collective effort which
these states may thus make to restore
peace"
Secretary Hull was asked whether
this meant that II other nations de-
cided a particular country was the ag-
gressor and agreed upon an economic
boycott, the United States-if 1t con-
Cured as to the aggressor-would be
compelled to refrain from trading with
that country on the ground this would
defeat the collective effort of q boycott.
He declined comment on this phase.
Reaction in diplomatic circles in
extremely favorable. The position
taken was one which diplomats regarded
as far in advance of any hitherto made
known by this Government concerning
a consultative pact, and there was fac
more hopeful feeling in diplomatic cir
cles for the successful outcome Of the
present Geneva negotiations.
Davis statement lin the long run we
may come to the conclusion that the
simplest and most accurate definition
of an aggressor is one whose armed
forces are found on alien soil in viola
ton OF treaties" caused much discus
sion, however because Of the present
position of Japan, with its troops on
Chinese territory, and the two con-
flicts in South America, in which troops
are occupying foreign territory which
has been allotted by treaty.
Negotiating reciprocal agreements
with other powers and simultaneous
lowering Of tariff walls is London OBJ
jective of the President
Observers believed before the meeting
with Hull today that despite the po-
litical eXplosiveneSs Of the tariff ques
ton it was quite likely the President
would ask Congress to act now.
With the London conference opening
June II, and the American delegation
sailing a week from this Wednesday.
the time is growing short for action on
the concededly controversial question.
Even among members of the admin
istration differences of opinion exist
Secretary Hull before he took his pres
ent post advocated 10 per cent cut
in tariffs by all nations, although he
now comedies this is only one Of many
methods of attaining the desired goal
Of lowered trade barriers.
Assistant Secretary Raymond Moley
of the State Department says the idea
is mot to cut of the top Of the wall"
but to open doors in our walls oppo-
site doors in other walls"-apparentlv
reference to reciprocal, bilateral tariff
bargaining.
Last night the President conferred
on the foreign situation with Senator
Republican Of the Foreign Relations
Committee.
johnson Is regarded as the choice
Of the President for Republican men,
Der Of the delegation to London. but
he declined to discuss this after his
talk at the White House.