Evening star., 1938-08-02

in promoting economic well-being and
of the efficiency Of reciprocal trade
agreements as instrumentalities for
reopening and keeping open the cham
nels Of trade and thus strengthening
the forces of economic recovery are
becoming more and more widely dis.
cernible
But the trade agreement program
has another and possibly even greater
significance. BY it this country is
leading in q movement which may
have q decisive influence on the whole
future course OF civilization, . move
ment toward conditions in which there
can be q fair chance for peace.
Among the factors which make for
national and international order and
stability economic well-being is abso-
lutely essential. Among the causes of
human conflict economic insecurity Is
one of the foremost. To the extent
that artificial obstacles to trade are
removed, economic well-being and eco
nomic security will be promoted To
the extent also that, in trade among
nations. determinations are done away
with and fair dealing and equal treat
ment assured-which is just what the
trade agreements program envisages
and is accomplishing-friction in re-
lations among nations will be reduced.
Policy Is Continuing One.
This country's trade agreements
program Is standing offer. = stand
ing invitation to other nations to join
with this Nation in . common effort
to promote economic well-being and to
bring about economic security, ma
tional and international, and thus
provide condition for durable peace
In regard to the negotiations which
are under way for = trade agreement
between the United States and Great
Britain. the Secretary Of State indi-
Gated last week that progress such as
Is normal in such negotiations is being
made. He expressed the view that If
the two governments succeed in work.
ing out substantial trade agreement
equally fair to both countries this
will make . tremendous contribution
toward stable business recovery in this
country and the world generally, will
be to the advantage Of both countries
directly concerned, will stimulate
widespread application of the doctrine
Of equality of opportunity and most
favored-nation treatment, and will
thereby contribute immeasurably to
economic rehabilitation and to the
creation OF . secure foundation for
peace, stability and order under law
among the nations.
In the course Of o statement to the
House of Commons last week in out
line OF the world situation. the premier
OF Great Britain, Mr.. Chamberlain
expressed the hope that the concu-
sion OF . trade agreement between
Great Britain and the United States
would not be too long delayed, and he
characterized the move toward this
agreement as an effort to demonstrate
the possibility of these two great
countries working together" in a man
ner OF sensible cooperation along eco-
nomic lines.
Vast Changes in Relations.
During the past i've years great
changes. with very substantial i'm
provements. have been brought about
In the political relations Of the United
States with other countries, especially
those with the other American re-
publics.
In 1888 this country signed, at the
Montevideo Conference. . convention
condemning Intervention in the in
ternal or external affairs Of other
nations.
In 1894 this country, by abrosa ting
the Platt amendment, voluntarily re-
nounced its right Of Intervention in
Cuba.
In the same year this country with
drew its marines from Haiti, gave It's
adherence to the Argentine anti-war
pact and Joined the International La
Dor Once.
In 1885 this country participated
with five other American republics in
successfully mediating and bringing
about q termination Of the Chaco Wal
between Bolivia and Paraguay and
since then 1t has participated actively
in the negotiations 1T the Chaco Peace
Conference, which were recently con-
cluded by the signing of q definitive
peace treaty. This termination of q
long and bitter conflict has been ap-
praised by Mr.. Welles as an "out-
standing event" which has evoked
wor!d-wide expression Of gratifica-
ton"
In 1896 this country took the ini-
t1ative IN suggesting the convocat ton
OF the 1nter-American Conference for
the Maintenance Of Peace, which was
held at Buenos Aires in December OF
that year, 1T which conference the
American republics represented af-
nrmed various principles which are
henceforth to guide their relations and
agreed upon q mechanism for peace
1ul settlement Of disputes and fol-
consultation in case the peace of the
Western Hemisphere be menaced.
In October, 1887, the Government Of
the United States Joined with the gov
ernments Of Costa Rica and Vene-
xuela In extension Of good oflces to
Honduras and Nicaragua with refer
ence to . boundary dispute. and these
good onlces led to the signing two
months later Of an agreement de-
signed to bring about definitive SET
tlement Of that controversy.
Party to Brussels Conference.
In November, 1887, this country par
ticipated in the Brussels Conference
at which representative Of 10 coun-
tries met to consider the situation
In the Far East.
In the same month, November. 1897
at the instance Of the government ot
Haiti, the governments Of Cuba. Mex
leo and the United States extended
10 the governments Of Haiti and the
Dominican Republic their good ofneel