Evening star., 1940-07-23
Hull at Havana

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lean, all-American, independence
that the delegates from our sister
republics were waiting to hear. The
plenipotentiaries Of every state south
OF the Rio Grande and south OF
Florida wanted a clear expression
Of leadership from the United States
behind which their countries could
range themselves in resistance to the
designs Of the European axis nations
and In confidence that their own
economies will not suffer through
the resistance. Secretary of State
Hull gave them that expression. He
set forth to his diplomatic colleagues
at the 1nter-American Conference
both an ideal and a program. The
ideal is the liberty Of the New World
and its component nations. The pro-
gram is the mechanism for the
ideals preservation as a living SYM
Dol of national dignity and inter-
national decency.
1t is all very well to bow to good
neighborliness. But at Havana some
thing more than a good neighborly
gesture was required. Our fellow
American republics want intensely
to defeat German attempts at
establishing over them any sort of
Nazi hegemony. They are small
lands hovvoyar ~ - MT evoo11 <bao
weak in a military sense. The speech
by Mr.. Hull. coupled with the
Export-1mport Bank message sent to
Congress by President Roosevelt,
shows that the United States is not
only eager to reaf1lrm at this trying
time the seven-year-old policy of
the good neighbor but also is willing
to show the republics how it is pos
sible to take definite good neigh
borly steps. Mr.. Roosevelt asks
law that will make available $780,
100000 for purchasing American
surpluses. Mr.. Hull at Havana prom
ises immediate cooperation by his
Government with the other nations
in the solution OF their economic
problems. And he gives them con-
fldence that they will not have Ger
mans as colonial neighbors by his
advocacy Of the plan for inter-Amer-
ican establishment of a trusteeship
over the New World colonies threat
ened with transfer to axis masters.
The realization of the Hull pro-
gram, Of course, is not to be easy.
There have been always and still are
groups in this country whose men,
bers let the prospect Of dollar lost
at home stop their co operation
In an undertaking which would
bring them many dollars from
abroad. It is to be hoped that at
the same time Mr.. Hull inspired the
countries to the south he aroused the
legislators at home. The Secre-
tary Of State proposes, but Congress
disposes. A great part Of the eco
non1ic and political program given
forth by Mr.. Hull will require con-
gressional approval. It is to be hoped
that Congress is aware Of the impli-
cations. The safety of the United
States is at stake. Even If Congress
is completely amenable to the whole
Roosevelt-Hull program, the United
States and the twenty other Amer
lean governments will have their
difficulties with nations abroad.
France and the Netherlands will not
sit quietly by, especially under the
prodding OF their German masters,
while the Americas establish a trus-
teeship over their New World col
onies, should conditions make such
action necessary. But Mr.. Hull spoke
strongly, presaging a strong Ameri-
can backing for the program and a
strong effort to realize and project
the program. He stands on firm
ground.