Evening star., 1939-09-14
j. ). Retains All
Neutral Rights,
Hull Declares
Will Adopt Measures
Necessary on Any
Violation, He Says
BY GARNETT ID. HORNER.

Secretary OF State Hull declared
today that the United States has
not abandoned any of it's rights as
a neutral under international law
despite its action under the Neu-
trality Act requiring Americans to
forego for the time being the exer-
else of some of their time-honored
rights.
These restrictive measures" Mr..
Hull said, do not and cannot con-
stitute a modification of the prin-
ciples of international law, but
rather they require nationals of the
United States to forego, until the
Congress shall decide otherwise, the
exercise of certain rights under
those principles
Congress will meet in special ses-
sion next Thursday to consider re-
vision of what President Roosevelt
has called the "so-called" neutrality
legislation and possibly a return to
the principles of international law
as basis for conduct of Americans
with relation to the countries at
war in Europe
Secretary Hull's statement today
was his first declaration of general
policy of this Government since war
was declared in Europe.
Issues Flat Warning.
He fatty warned that the United
States reserves all rights under in
ternational law "and will adopt such
measures as may seem most prac-
teal and prudent when those rights
are violated by any of the bellig-
erents"
The United States is endeavoring
to exercise "all due diligence in the
protection of American lives and
property" Mr.. Hull continued. and,
of course, must expect American
nationals likewise to exercise due
diligence in keeping clear of danger
actual or potential
He pointed out that the Govern
ment is giving the widest possible
notice to American shipping regard
ing danger areas as fast as the in a.
formation is available and also
warns American citizens and ship
ping against actual danger in any
other respect as situations involving
such danger develop,
Mr. Hull pointed out that the
principles of international law as
regards neutrals and belligerents
have been evolved through the CEN
turies. while belligerents have
frequently departed from these prin-
ciples on one pretext or another,
and have endeavored to justify their
action on various grounds, the prin-
ciples still exist" the Secretary said.
Insisted on Legislation.
Mr.. Hull recalled that he had In
sisted on the on-abandonment OF
our neutral rights in letters to Chair
man Pittman of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee and Chairman
Bloom of the House Foreign Affairs
Committee last May in connection
with neutrality legislation.
He wrote them at that time:
! NE IlSlltS VI Oul III
/ der international law may properly
be restricted by our own legislation
along certain lines for the purpose
of avoiding incident which might
! involve us in a conflict. In ind!cat-
. ing certain restrictions upon the
I exercise of our rights as a neutral.
/ I do not wish to be considered as
advocating the abandonment OF
these, or indeed of any, neutral
rights, but there is reasonable
ground for restricting at this time
| the exercise of these rights
/ The Secretary pointed out that
the restrictions imposed by the do
mestic legislation now in effect pro-
| hibit exercise of such privileges
granted by international law as the
right to travel on belligerent YES
| sells, to make loans and extend cred
it's to belligerent governments.
The statement made no reference
to blockades announced by Great
Britain and Germany in an attempt
to cut each others sources OF sup
| ply of munitions and other mate
rials. He said so far as he knew
no incidents of an unusually serious
nature had developed so far IN con-
nection with American shipping.