Evening star., 1939-05-28
Text of Hull Letters
Secretary Of State Gives Preferences
For Neutrality Legislation
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
The tert OF identical letters on
neutrality legislation dispatched by
Secretary OF State Hull yesterday to
Chairman Pittman OF 'the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee and
Acting Chairman Bloom OF the
House Foreign Affairs Committee
tollotDs::
In harmony with the conversa-
tions I have had during recent
weeks with you and other members
of the appropriate committees of
the two houses of Congress with re-
gard to pending legislative pro-
posals for modifying existing peace
and neutrality legislation, l wish to
offer the following comment:
These proposals are intended to
aid in keeping the United States
from becoming involved in war.
They contemplate, primarily, state
of affairs in which relations In the
world have ceased to be peaceful.
Our purpose must be, at all times,
to endeavor to foster that state of
relations among nations which will
maintain the fabric of world peace.
In pursuance of that aim we have
done, and must do, everything pos
sible within the limits of our ira
ditional policy of non n-involvement
in overseas affairs.
In considering the present pro-
posals for legislation, we must keep
in mind that, no matter how much
we may wish or may try to disasso-
clate ourselves from world events,
we cannot achieve disassociation
The simple fact of our existence as
a great Nation in a world of ma
tions cannot be denied; and the
substance OF the legislation adopted
In this country inevitably influences
not only this country, but also other
countries.
The problem for us is not whether
we shall help any foreign country
or any group Of foreign countries
Nor is 1t that of passing judgment
upon or interfering in other peoples
controversies. Rather, it is that of
so conducting our affairs and our
relations with other peoples, both
before and after the outbreak of war
elsewhere, that we shall be more,
and not less, secure; so that we shall
not become parties to controversies
and so that our attitude and actions
Will encourage other people to avoid
rather than to become engaged in
controversy.
U. S. Safety FIRST Concern.
Because of troubled conditions
with which we are ali familiar. the
Congress rightly is now considering
the situation which might obtain
were state of war to develop be-
tween other nations. In such case
the first concern of the United
States is It's own safety as we'll as
the desire and intent, which all of
us resolutely follow, to remain at
peace.
In the event of foreign war; we
would be Immediately faced with
the problem of maintaining our
neutrality.
When a war begins, that body of
rules for the regulation of interna-
tlonal relations which applies in
time of peace becomes impaired.
Under international law, the bel
ugerent states then acquire certain
rights which do not appertain to
states at peace; and at the same
time, states which remain at peace
become affected by a body of rules
under which they have the rights
and obligations of neutrals.
In considering whether legislative
restrictions upon our freedom of
action can advantageously be main
tained or adopted to insure against
our being drawn into war, we should
In my opinion, avoid the error of
assuming that provisions which are
at the same time rigid and of uni
versal application, will serve our in
terests satisfactorily in every situa-
tion which may arise. The course
OF world affairs is unpredictable
What we should try to do for the
purpose OF keeping this country out
OF war Is to enact measures adapted
to the safeguarding of our interests
IN all situations Of which we can
conceive and at the same time i'm
posing minimum of abnormal and
unnecessary burdens upon our ma
tionals and minimum of disrup-
ton OF aour peaceful economic life
Impartiality Required.
I believe it is important that the
legislation which may be enacted
should conform, as far as possible
to Traditional concepts Of interna-
tlonal law adhered to by this Gov
ernment. International law re.
quires that the domestic measures
adopted by a neutral shall be i'm
partially applied to the contendine
parties in conflict. It does not re-
quire that neutral nation shall
embargo any articles destined fol
belligerents.
If we 60 in for embargoes on ex-
ports, for the purpose of keeping
ourselves out Of war, the logical
thing to do would be to make ou,
embargo au-inclusive. Modern war
fare Is no longer warfare between
armed forces only; it is warfare be-
tween nations in every phase OF
their national life. Lists Of con-
traband are no longer limited to
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