Evening star., 1937-08-22
by CONSTANTINE BROWN.

by CONSTANTINE BROWN.
- ECRETARY CORDELL HULL
has not given up his struggle
for peace. In . world thinking
- in terms OF expansions. retalia-
tions, superarmaments and destruc-
ton Of neighbors, he has never tired
OF preaching readjustment and the
good d-neighbor policy. He Is easily an
noyed by critics who point out to him
that lip service to his theories by
foreign statesmen is insincere. The
Secretary OF State proceeds in the be-
lief that the leaders Of other nations
cannot be blind and must see that
another conflagration will mean the
end Of an era Of civilization.
With the zeal of \ missionary he
made public on July l6 the new credo
Of the United States Government re-
garding its foreign affairs. This credo,
more constructive than President Will
sons IA points because it was issued
to avert another world conflagration
was communicated TO every sovereign
government throughout the globe
Heads OF these governments we're
asked to express their reaction. Some
OF them haatened to answer volun-
tarily others replied only after being
urged
Thus far, more than so nations.
ranging from the Duchy OF Luxem-
bourg to Japan and Germany, have
sent their more or less favorable re
actions to the State Department. The
French. British, the Czechoslovaks,
the Chinese. the Spanish Loyalists,
and al the other countries which
might become or already are victims
OF an aggression have unreservedly in
dorsed Mr.. Hulls doctrine Of "ab-
stinence from use of force in pursuit
Of 4 policy; adjustment Of problems
in international relations by processes
Of peaceful negotiations and agree
ment; faithful observance Of interna-
tional agreements: upholdine the prin-
eiple Of the sanctity OF the treaties
Concurrence BY Japanese.
Even the governments which either
are, or plan to become, aggressors
have politely approved Mr. Hulls theo-
ries. The japanese Ambassador at
Washington. acting upon instructions
from Toxic, informed the Secretary
OF State that The japanese govern
ment wishes to express its concur
renee with the principles contained in
the sta tement Of July l6" This reply,
given at \ time when the Japanese d.
visions were defyins all solemn and
sacrosanct treaties and agreements in
invading China. could not be over
looked even by the cynics in the Toxic
foreign once. Their answer con-
cluded with the following paragraph: !:
1T is the belief Of the Japanese gov
ernment that the objectives OF those
principles will only be obtained. in
their application to the Far-Eastern
situation, by 4 full recognition and
practical consideration Of the actual.
particular circumstances Of that re-
gion.'
Baron Won Neurath. a less cynical
diplomat sent 4 five-line reply saying
that the basic views OF the American
Government coincided with those of
the government Of the Reich Other
nations. like Hungary and Bulea ria
which still have an axe to grind As
4 result OF the postwar trea ties. con-
yeyed to Warrington their lament be-
cause harsh conditions imposed upon
them by the Allies after 1918 had not
been changed, and thoee who could
read between the lines saw In those
answers a warning that changes will
be demanded shortly
OF course, Mr.. Hull does not ex-
pect that peace will be restored merely
because foreign secretaries t..Dressed
An approval Of the high ideals con-
tanned in the American credo. He
believes that at this time, when ma
tions are approaching crossroads
where choice will have to be made
between going down the roadway to
conflict and anarchy or following an
alternative which offers economic ba-
sis for preservation Of peace" the gov
ernments Of the ma jor powers will
accept Americas outstretched hand
now, when guns and airplanes are
splitting fire in the Far East and Spain,
when armaments throughout the rest
OF the world have reached unheard- of
proportions-the offer of this country
to sit down at 4 conference table in
an attempt to settle their various dis
putes and dsagreements. Mr.. Hull
does not expect An immediate solution
Of problems which have brought about
this hopeless situation. He merely
wants confidence restored - starting
point Then the solution OF the con-
tentious problems will be \ question
Of time and good will.
Faces Uphill Climb.
But it is = long uphill road that
the Secretary Of State has before him.
Even from South America has recently
come 4 blow to Mr.. Hullx ideals. The
Ruenos Aires conference of last Fall
encouraged the administration In the
confident belief that whatever jeal-
ousies and frictions may inevitab bly,
exist among the NJ tions OF the SOUTH
ern continent, the idea Of peace had
taken deep roots. The incident OF the
proposed leasing Of six destroyers TO
Brasil. somewhat inadequately pre-
sented to the American people and e.
pecially to BraMl's powerful neishbor,
Argentina, has been an eye opener In
Warrington.
Herr. IN = few words, Is the back
ground Of this unpleasant incident.
Brazil, which at one time was the
third naval power in the world, saw
It's sea force dwindle to practically
nothing. After the fall Of the En-
peror, the Brazilian presidents paid
more attention TO the army and prac-
tically none to the navy. For the army
y political, with regional interests,
and the generals make and unmake
Presidents. And next January there
will be q presidential election tn that
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