711.00 Statement July 16, 1937/237
Statement by the Latvian Minister for Foreign Affairs (Munters) to the American Chargé in Latvia (Packer)80
The Latvian Minister for Foreign Affairs takes note with satisfaction of the observations which the Secretary of State the Honourable Cordell Hull made in his statement to the press on July 16, 1937.
In the first place Mr. Munters as representative of a member-state of the League of Nations desires to mark his full accord with the principle of the interdependence of States and of international events, both of political and economic character. Hence, in his view, [Page 746] results the imperative necessity of international collaboration for the purpose of maintaining peace and promoting economic security and stability. He would like to interpret the expression “cooperative effort by peaceful and practicable means” used in Mr. Hull’s statement in the widest possible sense implying definite and effective action.
The Latvian Government believe that many, if not all of the principles featured in the statement under consideration are embodied in the Covenant of the League of Nations to which they are pledged and the provisions of which they always have faithfully observed and shall continue to do so in the future. In this respect it would be of extreme importance to secure in the absence of universal acceptance of the Covenant the greatest possible measure of cooperation between the League and such countries as do not belong to that organisation or which have ceased to be its members.
In the feeling of the Latvian Minister for Foreign Affairs a marked success would be achieved if all countries would unequivocally recognize the principles set forth in the statement, more particularly those of non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations, sanctity of treaties and faithful observance of international agreements, as well as respect of rights of others and performance of established obligations.
Besides their participation in the work of the League of Nations the Latvian Government have given expression to their pacific policy through the conclusion of a treaty of collaboration with Estonia and Lithuania and through their unsparing efforts towards developing friendly relations with all the other countries, forming the geographical region to which Latvia belongs.
- Copy transmitted to the Department by the Chargé in his despatch No. 757, August 4; received August 24.↩