Evening star., 1936-08-07

Foreign affairs which previously had
not been stressed by either Of the maj jor
political parties in their platforms or
otherwise have now been injected Wig
orously into the campaign and probably
will continue to become more and more
of an issue following the attack by Re-
publican National Chairman Hamilton
on the administrations reciprocal trade
treaty program. His assault was aimed
particularly at the agreement between
this country and Canada which has per-
mitted the shipment into the United
States of large numbers of cattle from
across the northern border. Speaking
as he did. in the heart Of the Western
cattle district, Hamilton's assertions on
this point made q direct and personal
appeal to his hearers. AS the campaign
progresses, however, it is expected that
this issue will be broadened to include
many other phases on the reciprocal
trade program as they affect CONNER
cial relations between the United States
and other nations. Fourteen reciprocal
pactS including the special arrangement
with Cuba, have been negotiated by the
State Department during the past two
years and are now operative; while four
others. one incidentally with Spain, were
initiated during this period.
Il
Other foreign questions, including that
of neutrality and the best methods of
maintaining peace between the United
States and the other nations of the world,
are also likely to become prominent and
much discussed issues of the campaign.
The critical situation in Europe created
by the Spanish crisis would seem to
make 1t imperative that the attitude Of
this country toward this threatening
condition be mapped out in advance as
carefully and definitely as possible. In
the rapid evolution Of events now tran
spring on the continent, vast in their
potential significance and effect on
world economic and political affairs, a
situation may arise at almost any time
which will call for prompt and clear
cut decision by this country as to what
stand it will take in order to keep free
Of all involvements that might affect
it adversely in its normal friendly rela-
tions with other nations. One of these
is the question as to what further legis-
lation covering the sale of war munitions
is necessary and desirable SO that the
United States may maintain and pro-
tect its neutrality.
Il 4
AS result of the European situation
and desire on the part of the admins
tration to put the United States in a
position where it will be prepared to
avoid the untoward consequences of for
eign turmoil, 1t is understood that both
President Roosevelt and Secretary Hull
are envisioning closer cooperation, both
economically and otherwise, among the
nations of the Western Hemisphere. It
is their belief, according to reliable
sources. that developments abroad have
made it imperative that the American
republics seek to develop and strengthen
their trade relations against any emer-
gency which might arise in other quar-
ters of the globe which would jeopardize,
If not destroy, their own industrial and
commercial welfare. Such cooperation
they believe would serve not only to
promote a mutually profitable and per-
manent commercial exchange among
these countries but would also consti-
tute barrier against disruption OF mar
kets elsewhere.
With definite announcement OF De-
cember / as the date for the opening