Evening star., 1936-05-14

Just this week, George N. Peek,
who resigned from the administration,
has begun in the Saturday Evening
Post a series of articles taking issue
with the Hull doctrine and insisting
that the United States by means OF
the reciprocal agreements gives away
tariff benefits to other countries than
those with which treaties are negoti-
ated This is because under the So
called favored nation" treaties any
duties lowered to France are auto
matically lowered to other countries
which sell America the same COM
modities.
But the program followed by Secre-
tary Hull does not allow such bene-
fits to any country which is dis
eliminating against America under a
quota system. The chief difference be-
tween Peek and Hull is that the
former favors straight bargaining
treaties in which the United States
does not allow her relations with
second country to affect her duties
to third country.
Hull Sees war IN fOucy.
Secretary Hull has insisted on the
other hand, that such policy means
more economic nationalism and fur
nishes the seeds of more war in the
world America alone, he feels, offers
o sane alternative by bringing about
O general reduction of tariffs.
Az voy,,jro a tio,, ~ tho varioux re-
ciprocal tariff treaties consummated
by Hull will reveal that in large
number of commodities the Hawley-
Smoot tariff rates have been consider
ably reduced, though they are still
well above the Fordney- -McCumber
rates.
Breaking down the French quota
system, or at least reversing the tide.
is a most significant achievement
in Americas development of her re-
ciprocal tariff policy. American pro-
ducers have chafed under the ar
bitrary determinations practiced
abroad and for years there has seemed
to be no remedy. Now, at last, a
start has been made and while the
retention of the quota system Is in
itself a threat to economic under
standing, the feeling here is that
gradually the quota system will be
abandoned in favor of general appli-
cation of the American principle Of
reciprocity.
Other Nations Indorse Policy.
It Is interesting to note that the
Assembly of the League of Nations
q few months ago, comprising 50
nations, approved the American plan
by vote of representatives who had
been instructed directly by their gov
ernments to do so. Secretary Hull
says of the reciprocity idea in con-
nection with the conclusion of the
French treaty this week:
"1t represents a long onward stride
In the development of the only type
of policy that holds promise of ex-
Treating the world from the moraSs of
economic distress and political insta-
bility in which it has been plunged by a
short-sighted, futile and disastrous
search for national self-suficiency
bItC C1CCClUll VI CAICoolNC Ddl
riers to international trade"
Specific items in the French treaty.
Just as special aspects Of the Canadian
treaty, will come in for criticism, but
the principle of admitting the prod
ucts of other countries that the lat
ter can produce naturally in competi-
ton with us is one that was fathered
originally by Republicans like James
G. Blaine and William Mckinley For
this reason, the Republican platform
makers next month who want to "go
nationalistic" will find many independ-
ent Democrats estranged from the
forthcoming ticket if the Republican
party is to take its position as opposed
to the reciprocity policy which is now
gaining worldwide assent and should,
Of course, not be political or partisan
matter at all
(Copyright 1Q36l