Wairarapa Times-Age FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 1938. AN INTERNATIONAL LEAD?

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 August 1938, Page 4

Wairarapa Times-Age FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 1938. AN INTERNATIONAL LEAD?

A CABLEGRAM from Washington yesterday reported in brief a broadcast speech in which the American Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, pledged the United States to an international programme for the restoration of sound economic relations, international morality and the principles of international, law and justice. One way of receiving what might fairly be called an overture to the world at large would be to say: “Oh yes, the Americans are talking again, but nothing ever comes of their talk.’’ It is perhaps worth while, however, to consider whether there are any means of inducing the United States to convert into action the talk about international rehabilitation heard at intervals from its statesmen. After all, it is taking a good deal for granted to assume that Mr Cordell Hull, for example, is only talking for the sake of talking when he says the programme he has in mind for his country includes, , first, adherence to international law; secondly, economic reconstruction; thirdly, respect for and observance of treaties; ■ fourthly, voluntary selfrestraint and abstention from the use of force in the pursuit of national policy; and, fifthly, preparation to limit and progressively reduce armaments.There is nothing in this programme that the British Empire need liave any hesitation in adopting- on a basis of mutual agreement with other nations. Mr Hull has in fact summarised the essentials of international policy on which Britain tried, during many post-war years, to induce European and other nations to come together. On the other hand, in proposing and recommending this policy, Mr Hull is directly indicting the European and other nations, particularly .Germany, Italy and Japan, whose dictatorships are pursuing deliberately a policy of violent . aggression. It might perhaps be said that he is also indicting other nations, including his own,, which are acquiescing, at least passively, in the policy of aggression pursued by the dictatorships, and are going beyond passive acquiescence in continuing to supply the dictatorships with munitions aiid other materials which enable them to extend their aggression. It .is. in., ./economic co-operation between the United States, Britain and other nations that the best-hope appears of translating.into action such an international programme, as Mr Hull outlined in his broadcast address. Probably, indeed, this is the only working* basis that, for the time at least, is or can be made available. It is a basis, however, on which there might well be raised an effective international organisation to establish and uphold peace. The United States controls a large part of the world’s available oil supplies. The British Empire and the United States between them control a very large part of the supplies of oil and other materials on which any belligerents, and particularly those European nations and Japan now engaged in or threatening aggression, are vitally dependent. An agreement between the English-speaking nations to combine loyally in using- the weapon of the economic boycott against aggressors is an essential step towards organising the world for peace. An Anglo-American lead on these lines probably would re-establish the League of Nations, or its equivalent, as an effective agency in international affairs. Political leaders in Britain, France and elsewhere calling themselves practical men have turned away from this policy and have sought instead to deal directly, in a minor key, with aggressive dictatorships. The result of these practical measures is -written large in Europe and in Eastern Asia. It may be late in the day to approach the task of organising the world for peace by ’withholding the resources of peaceful nations from nations whose rulers are makingwar and are intent on extending their policy of aggression. Clearly, however, purposeful ami determined efforts in peaceful organisation are the only alternative to an ultimate desolation of war. A regard for international justice and the interests of the Empire alike demand that the British nation should declare itself ready to co-operate unreservedly in the international programme to which Mr Cordell Hull has pledged the United States.