Evening star., 1937-07-25
HULL DEBUNKS DOCTRINE
OF MERIT In ISOLATION
Good Neighbor in Family of Nations Is
One Who Seeks Progress Through
Mutual Efforts, He Asserts.

HulIs pronouncement is q brave and
frank recognition Of a reality which
might prove dangerous to conceal any
longer. Interdependence of nation.
has grown to such complex propor-
tlons, that the outbreak OF serious
hostllltles in the remotest corner Of
the earth must Of necessity concern a
power OF so vast and extended inter-
national contacts, commercial and
financial, and such unlimited economic
resources as the United States.
Trust In Isolation Outdated.
Intelligent people in the United
States have acknowledged this fact
long ago, but somehow men in high
Government positions pretend to ie-
more 1t out of Difference for a tradi-
tlonal, though outdated, belief of the
crowds in the blessings of perfect
isolation. Secretary Hull now of1lcially
puts an end to that myth, and in so
doing, he is only being consistent with
himself and with his definition of the
good neighbor," given some time ago
IN connection with his program of
commercial internationalism:
In Washington's time" the Secre-
tary said, "the sins of nations were
almost wholly the sins OF commission.
A nation which lived solely unto itself
was not bad neighbor. The eco
nonic integration of the world has
totally altered that situation. The sins
OF omission today rank equal with the
sins of commission. A nation which
now lives solely unto itself is a drag
on civilization, increases the dangers
OF its own position, both economically
and politically, stlrs up international
anlmosltles and threatens thereby the
peace Of the world. Isolation and
self-containment are now the policies
OF the bad neighbor"
In keeping with this philosophy.
Secretary Hull now promises Co
operative effort by peaceful and prac-
tlcal means in support of these
major principles, upon which he con-
slders depends the peace OF the world
National and international self
respect, abstinence by all nations from
use OF force in pursuit of policy and
from interference in the internal
AFFAIRS OF other nations, adjustment
OF problems in international relations
by processes of peaceful negotiation
and agreement. sanctity Of treaties and
thelr modification when need arises
by orderly processes carried out
IN a spirit Of mutual helpfulness
and accommodation. revitalizinp the
strengthening of international law,
promotion of economic security and
stability the world over, etc.
THESE are, precisely, the principles
winch the present administration has
been promoting successfully in the
Western Hemisphere under the good
neiehbor' banner.
The fact that the United States
recognizes these principles to be the
requisites Of peace is no novelty. but
the cooperation which the United
States promises, by organ of its Secre-
tary OF State, In support OF such
principles whenever they NAV he
threatened by serious hostiljties any,
"nere IN the world, is news, and very
important news, to all men Of good
Will. 1t is encouraging to hear the
man IN charge of the foreign relations
OF the most powerful single nation IN
eartn agree with the Litvinov theory
that peace Is indivisible.
Copyright. 1877