Evening star., 1938-08-17
Mr.. Hull on Peace.


Secretary of State Corden Hull has q
habit Of timing his pronouncements on
world peace with events which appear to
threaten that condition. Thus his
radiocast speech last night reiterating
principles he expounded q year ago
came at time when fears of the out
break of new European war were at
their height.
Mr.. Hull said nothing new But is there
anything new that can be said about the
necessity for preservation of tranquil
lity between nations. Any one hearing
or reading Mr.. Hull's speech must be
struck not by the novelty of the ideas
expressed, but by their timeliness. At
moment when Germany has made her
self an armed camp in preparation for
a possible blow at CzechoSlovakia, when
the Russians and Japanese have just
settled, for the moment at least, their
conflict over an Insignificant hill in
Eastern Asia, and when the japanese
are marching on the refuge capital Of
the Chinese government. the American
Secretary of State refreshes the men,
ory of statesmen of the world with the
principles for which America stands.
And it is broadcast not only, to the
United States, but to Europe and Latin
America by short wave radio.
Mr.. Hull drew two alternatives for
the nations Of the world today: the way
Of force or the way of reason. Either a
nation joins wholeheartedly in the en-
deavor for rule of reason or 1t joins,
even by default the forces which make
for a rule of force. Each must add its
strength to the battle for moral re-
straint and observance of international
obligations and treaties" or the mere
fact of its indifference is to be con-
strued as impetus for the rule of force.
Can there be such thing as neutral
ity? Can a nation be neutral between
right and wrong? I'm the circum-
stances which prevail in the world today,
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participation in determining which
course shall be taken," the Secretary
answers, and adds consciously or un-
consciously. every country is throwing
the weight of its attitude and action,
positive or negative. toward one course
or the other" Thus failure actively to
fI,e of
tions, in Mr.. Hulls view, is by that very
fact an espousal of the cause of force.
The important role that economics
plays in the structure of peace finds ex-
tensive consideration in Mr.. Hull's ad-
dress, in accordance, of course, with his
devotion to the reciprocal trade pro-
gram. Thus it is that "the Government
of the United States has enlarged the
scope of its effort for the rebuilding
of sound economic structure) and is
urging upon all nations the adoption of
a comprehensive program embracing
both economic reconstruction and re-
Vtalizing of principles which are in
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under law"
Finally, cooperation is promised
those other nations which are seeking to
proceed along the path of peace, Sc
curity, progress and prosperity. Not by
any means promise to cooperate in
the punishment of aggressors, but CO.
operation in the establishment Of those
basic conditions which have more to do
with peace than have the superficial
manifestations
Mr. Hull's speech may serve to remind
Germany and Italy, at critical mo-
ment, that there remain in the world
forces for order and lawful process be-
tween nations. He made no threats,
even by implication, but he may have
recalled to would-be aggressors that
whatever moral influence this country
has is behind law and order In inter-
national relations.