Evening star., 1938-02-13
BY CRESTON b. MULLINS,

ME demand of Senator'S Borah and
johnson, supported by a consider
L able number Of members of both
Houses of Congress- for a clear-cut defini-
tion Of American foreign policy has evoked
President Roosevelt's reply that the foreign
policy Of the Government has been made
clear in the past and needs no restatement
at this time.
The apparent contradictions between
what President Roosevelt and Secretary of
State Hull have urged and what the Gov
ernment has actually done in moments of
crisis abroad are emphasized in this insist
ence, by two leading isolationists, upon
clarification of the course the United States
Is to follow in world affairs
That the demand was made indicates a
growing tendency to face squarely the basic
issue which confronts the American people
not only in the Far East but in Europe and
Latin America as we'll. That is whether
to accept or disavow a responsibility to
join, even to the extent Of using economic
and military force, worldwide efforts to
establish peace and the rule of law and
order.
Under two Republican and one Demo-
cratic Presidents the American people have
been led to the spring of positive participa-
ton in world affairs, but no amount Of
cajoling has induced them to drink its
waters with any show OF enthusiasm.
Trend Spurs Misgivings
A growing tendency to enter world politics
has not been without msgivings, however,
in large body Of American citizenry and
its representatives in Congress. Secretary
Stimson was under a barrage of fire for
his part in trying to halt Japan in Man.
churia; President Roosevelt was bitterly
denounced for his alleged Intervention with
the League in the Ethiopian affair, and he
now finds his attempt to exert the power
Of the American Government on the side
OF international order hamstrung by the
reluctance Of the American people to %
beyond moral support for victims of az
gression.
The contradictory character of American
foreign policy as revealed in the words and
oeeds OF the men who conduct il is under.
standable when the distinction between
conduct of foreign relations and the de-
termination of foreign policy is recognized
The Constitution leaves to the President
the conduct Of the countrys foreign rela-
uons through the appointment and recep-
ton of public ministers and ambassadors,
and the treaty-making power, although the
appointment and treaty powers are made
subject to the advice and consent of the
Senate"
The determination Of policy, however, is
function Of the body polite and the role
OF the Chief Executive in it is one of
leader and educator. Being elected. the
President and his party are accountable at
the polls for the execution of policy, and
their acts therefore must reflect, out of
political expediency, the prevailing senti-
ment Of the public
As the leader of public opinion the Presi-
dent offers for public support the policies
he believes the Nation should follow; as the
executor Of public policies he acts only to
the extent that he believes he can marshal
the support of public opinion, and his acts
are not necessarily always consistent with
what he believes the course of the Govern
ment should be.
Two Forces in Evidence.
Thus, in effect, we have witnessed two
forces tugging at the Government. Presi-
dental policies, as expressed in the Chief
Executives communications to the country
IN his speeches, messages to Congress and
press statements; and national policies as
evidenced in popular expressions of opin-
ion, trends of feeling in Congress. editorial
reaction and resolutions by various bodies
of citizens on foreign affairs.
To what extent has there been inconsist-
ency in American foreign policies? First
for examination are the principles which
the Chief Executive and his chief cabinet
adviser would have the Nation accept, as
revealed in their public utterances.
As prelude to the Far Eastern war,
Secretary of State Hull early in the struggle
recapitulated the principles which guide
the American Government in its relations
abroad in statement prefaced by recogni-
tion that there can be no serious hostili-
ties anywhere in the world which will not
one way or another affect interests or rights
or obligations of this country"
Among the 16 points in this American
"credo" were maintenance of peace, alb
stinence from use of force in pursuit Of
policy, observance of international agree
ments, adjustment of international prob
lens by peaceful negotiation and agree
ment, reduction or increase of armaments
in proportion to changes by other countries
and cooperative effort by peaceful and
practicable means in support of these
principles.
Appeal to World ut Chicago.
During the course Of the Chinese war
President Roosevelt himself has made some
far-reaching remarks Of persuasive nature
for popular consumption. His now-famous
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