America and Isolation The democratic nations of Europe should be
grateful for the declaration of policy made by Mr. Cordell Hull, United States Secretary of State, last week ; and for the confirmation it received in the speech of the new American Ambassador at the Pilgrims' dinner in London the next day. It would be useless, and unreasonable, to expect from a member of the American administration at this moment any assurance that implied a willingness to intervene in the affairs of Europe ; but Mr. Cordell Hull made two statements of considerable importance. Firstly, he reiterated the American people's attachment to the rule of law in international relations and hostility to the rule of brute force ; and, secondly, he rejected uncompromisingly the doctrine of isolation which hampers America's freedom of action in world affairs. " Isolation," he said, " is not a means to security ; it is a fruitful source of insecurity." As important as Mr. Hull's speech is its reception by the American people. According to reputable report,. the State Department is satisfied that it expressed the dominating trend in public opinion at the moment, which has shifted sufficiently under the pressure of recent events in Europe and the Far East at least to doubt the wisdom of the Neutrality Act. Whether the Act will be repealed is a different matter ; but it is reassuring that there is in America a con- sciousness of how much the mere existence of the Act weakens the position of the democratic States in Europe.
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