America to Enforce Peace ?
Much the most important feature of Mr. Cordell Hull's address on American foreign policy last Saturday was his full recognition of the sanction that must govern effective co-operation between nations. It was abundantly clear, he said, that a system of organised international co-operation for the maintenance of peace must be based upon willingness to use force, if necessary, to keep the peace. That is a decisive acknowledgement of America's responsibilities to the world, and equally, as he made clear, to herself. It is important that such a statement should be made at a time when the Republican Party is casting about for formulas which should govern post-war policy, and when many individual Republicans are seeking the best way of dotting the i's of the resolution adopted at the recent unofficial Mackinac Confer- ence. Both political parties are moving more and more towards acceptance of American participation in an international organisa- tion to ensure peace ; Mr. Cordell Hull has only carried such generalisations to their logical conclusion when he shows that they demand readiness in the last resort to use !orce. It must be added that it is due to the rest of the world which is fighting on America's side that she should soon give some definition of her post-war intentions. Between Russia and Britain a treaty already exists. It would be a great contribution to confidence if there were similar treaties between Britain and America and AmeriCa and Russia. The moral effect would be great and the actual commitments so in- considerable that the Senate should make no difficulty about ratification.
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