Evening star., 1938-03-18
HULL TALK REPLIES
CALLEDEXCELLENT.
President Declares Arms
Embargo on Spain Is Not
to Be Lifted.
BY the Associated Press.

by tuc hSSOCldtcU FEcSS.
President Roosevelt today termed
excellent the domestic reaction to Sec
retary of State Hull's speech which
charted for America middle course
between internationalism and isolation.
The President said he had not yet
seen the comments from abroad.
Replying to questions at his press
conference, Mr.. Roosevelt said he was
not considering lifting the arms enl-
barge on Spain. A reporter had asked
whether this was possibility in view
of Secretary Hulls criticism Of ag-
gressors and the fact that Italy and
Germany could obtain arms from the
United States.
MIR. Roosevelt described as too hypo-
thetical another question which had
to do with American preparedness at
the time Of the World War.
Adequate Armed Forces.
(Secretary Hull also said in his
restatement yesterday of American
foreign policy that 1T is the mani
fest duty of great nation to MAIN
tain armed forces for its national
defense.D
A reporter wanted to know whether
the United States could have avoided
attacks on its merchant ships had it
had an adequate defense.
After terming the inquiry too
hypothetical, the President added that
it was like saying that if Abraham
Lincoln were alive today what would
he have done in the Coal Commission
controversy.
Another questioner asked whether
any tangible steps were being con-
sidered to relieve the situation in
Europe. The President replied he
would not discuss such step at
press conference even if he had one
in mind.
Evades Question.
Still another interrogator tried to
bring out the Presidents views on
suggestion that operations of the Amer
ican Navy be limited to sphere close
to the American shores and possess
sions. Mr.. Roosevelt said he could talk
did not intend to.
This was one issue involved In the
last stages of House consideration OF
the $l,00O,000,000 naval program.
Tentative approval of 20 per cent
increase in the American feet already
had been given.
Before the final roll call on Monday,
however, foes of the bill were making
a determined effort to strike out the
so-called policy section which would
commit the Nevy to non-aggressive
role, but assign it to protect our COM
merce and citizens abroad"
Instead, the opponents favored
proposal by Representative Kniff1n,
Democrat, of Ohio to establish definite
naval frontiers of the United States,
behind which the fleet would be I'M
pounded unless attacked. This plan
would require the withdrawal of all
American warships from Asiatic waters.
Representative Maverick, Democrat,
of Texas called the bills policy state
ment mere windy rhetoric" but urged
its elimination on the ground it would
permit "a lieutenant in the Mayor
even petty oflcer''-to get the United
States into war.
The fleet increase which the House
tentatively authorized would permit
construction of 46 new warships, %
auxiliary vessels and $50 airplanes.
BY 98-to-63 vote, the House re-
fused yesterday to kill provision for
building three new battleships. It also
declined to make their construction
contingent on the calling of an Inter.
national Disarmament Conference.
One suggestion to discuss Joint ac-
ton against aggressor nations was sent |
to world powers yesterday by Maxim |
Litvinoff, Soviet commissar for for |
eign affairs. OF that proposal Senator
Plttman, Democrat, of Nevada, who
o1ten speaks for the State Department
In Congress, said
1T would not only be futile but de-
ceptive to discuss collective action
when 1t is obvious that several govern
ments are ready to take military ad-
vantage of each other as quickly as
possible"
Senator Pittman pointed out that
Secretary Hull indirectly" went on
record yesterday as being against the
Litvinoff proposal.
Freedom of Action.
Mr.. Hull's reference to international
action mentioned only consultation and
collaboration. He advocated that the
onlted States retain "at all times its
independence Of Judgment and free
dom of action"
Mr. Hulls speech was approved bv
many legislators of both major parties,
but members of the Senate's neutral
1ty" bloc took exception to his criticism
OF their proposed war referendum
amendment.
The Secretary declared such an
amendment would cripple the Govern
ment IN time of war, and asserted no
Congress or President ever had led the
people into war unwillingly.
That's not true" declared Senator
Clark, Democrat, of Missouri. THE
President and Congress can precipi-
tate war and then hope to whip up
public sentiment afterward."
Cites Wilson Reelection,
Senator Frazier, Republican. of
North Dakota, commented:
Wilson was reelected on a slogan
OF he kept us out of war; and the
first thing we knew we were in it,"
On the basis Of Mr.. Hull's sDeech
observers in touch with the State De-
partment outlined their conception of
his foreign policy, as follows:
l. A big navy and adequate arm
30 as to enforce respect for American
rights abroad.
2. Collaboration and consultation
with Great Britain and France and
other nations interested in promoting
peace, without, however, entering into
an alliance with them.
3. No legal recognition of Austria
under Germany, or of Manchukuo.
This does not prevent "de facto" rec
RoveI Horo