Evening star., 1936-04-12
NEUTRALS' RIGHTS
SEEN AIM OF i. s.
Intention of Seeking Inter-
national Action Disclosed
by Hull.
By the Associated Press.

Dy nuII.
By the Associated Press.
The United States intention Of
seeking concerted international ac-
tion to stretch protective arm about
the rights of neutral nations In war
time has been disclosed by Secretary
Hull.
Coupled with this revelation was a
declaration by the Secretary Of State
before congressional committee last
January, but made public only yes
terday, that the chances we're mine
out Of ten" against general war"
To this Hull added an admonition that
the world should not harbor any
false impression" that the United
States will not fight"
1t was made known authoritatively
yesterday that Hull has not definitely
approached other governments upon
the matter of new international ac-
ton to insure neutral rights. 1t was
added that, at present. he has no
specific plan for doing so.
Speculation Immediately was stirred
In unofficial circles, however, over
whether he might suggest the sum-
moning of a world conference on the
subject, or possibly take his proposals
directly to the principal powers indi-
vidually.
Follow Bid to Nations.
1t was noted particularly that the
Secretary's views. outlined to the Sen
ate Foreign Relations Committee three
months ago, were expressed only a
short while before President Roose-
velt invited all 81 nations of North
and South America to join in a peace
conference this year at Buenos Aires.
During January hearings on the
then pending neutrality legislation,
Hull deplored that the neutrality
question had been virtually doni-
nant" since the World War, because
most nations are not seriously con-
cerned about the matter" He told
the committee changing world condi.
tions neceSsitated new neutrality
| rules.
Because of this, he said, the United
States intends to urge other nations
to join us at the earliest opportunity
in re-examining and revitalizing neu-
/ trail rights under international law
as they existed prior to the World
War, as nearly as we find it con-
sistent and as other nations find it
consistent to do So"
Rights Of NeutraIs Ignored.
In declaring that his proposal for in.
| ternational action would contemplate
any changes suggested by World War
experience, he said the whole rights
of neutrals were largely ignored" dur
ing that period.
I'VE might as we'll recognize that
most of our neutral rights in the
| future are not going to be main.
tanned simply on paper" he con.
! tinued.
I'VE might as well realize also that
while We do not stand for extrava-
| CANT navies We must have enough
force to command respect of other
nations when we hold up to them a
threatened violation of our rights to
trade as neutrals"
Opposing a fiat embargo on COM
modities of the character of war sup
plies, Hull advocated instead that such
trade with belligerents be confined to
normal" peacetime proportions. He
said:
Il have not seen any good reason
| for complete embargo, either on free
/ goods or on conditional contraband.
That enables this Nation to stand
out before all the nations Of the world
as permitting normal trade at all times
between this country and belligerents.
but definitely drawing the line be-
tween this trade and what would be
try to belhgerents by furnishing alb
normal quantities of war materials.
Objection Is Seen.
'I think that policy, if made known
everywhere, and if practiced every.
where, would not be open to valid OBJ
lection. When We assure to every
nation its normal trade, we do not yio-
late either the substance or the spirit
of any peacetime trade agree
ment -"
IF there Is danger Of our being
drawn into war, on account of export
ing finished commodities, the danger
is all the greater if these materials are
exported in abnormal quantities.
Characterizing the early part Of the
year as a very serious period" Hull
added:
II do not anticipate any geneal war.
The chances are 9 out Of 10 that
there will not be any such war, but it
is a very serious period when team
work here to the extent that it is con-
sistent is of the utmost Importance"
He bespoke cooperation between
Congress, the State Department and
the President to avoid any steps that
!. might "jeopardize" this country's neu-
, tral provision.
IF We create the impression that
we are too extreme in either direction
, we can get into trouble-this means
either extreme internationalism, or
extreme nationalism.
Some countries might gain the false
impression that we will not fight and
we do not wish to run the risk Of be-
ing imposed upon by reason Of any
such impression"
, Stands for Flexible Policy.
BY his testimony the Secretary Of
State voiced the State Departments
! stand for a flexible neutrality policy.
, AS finally passed the neutrality Law did
not contain the provision he sought,
whereby the President would have
( been given discretionary power to con.
: fine exports of so-called war materials
to belligerents to normal quantities.
Secretary Hull informed the COM
mittee that in setting out terms Of
the neutrality proclamation last Fall.
under the first version of the neutral
ity act, he was acting independently Of
other nations
After the embargo on contraba nd
was dissolved. he said, it soon devel-
oped that expectation OF materials
going into the manufacture Of war
{ materials was rapidly increasing.