711.00 Statement July 16, 1937/181
The Canadian Secretary of State for External Affairs (King) to the American Minister in Canada (Armour)27
Sir: I have the honour to refer to our recent conversation in which you drew my attention to the statement made by the Secretary of State of the United States on July 16th setting forth the principles which represent his Government’s position in the conduct of international relations at this juncture.
I have read Mr. Hull’s statement with deep interest. All who are charged with the responsibility of government now find their task becoming daily more and more preoccupied with strains and tensions in the international field that threaten to undo all their efforts in the national sphere. Events throughout the world are forcing a continual fresh examination of the principles upon which the relations between States and peoples can best proceed, and it has long since become plain that unless the States of the world can reach some general agreement upon such principles catastrophe is hardly to be avoided.
I have no hesitation in saying that the principles set forth by Mr. Hull will meet the strong support of the people of Canada. In the midst of a stormy, transitional era of human affairs, when so many systems and theories are in violent competition for universal and exclusive mastery, the statement, by its coolness and moderation, and by invoking once more the processes of reasoned discussion, of accommodation and of conciliation, reaffirms anew our faith in the method and temper by which we believe progress so far has been won. While standing for order and orderly processes it equally recognizes there may be imperative need for change. At this time there appears a widespread tendency to invoke force whether in the name of the principle of stability or in the name of the principle of change, and both extremes seem to forget that under present day conditions the processes of force themselves set loose a progression of events which go completely beyond calculation and control and can only stultify the worthy principles in whose name the violence has [Page 784] been ordained. At such a time this clear call, from such a source, for the processes of mutual reasoned discussion is of the highest importance. It appears especially noteworthy that the statement lays emphasis upon the problems of readjustment, upon the task of studying immediately wherein all may try by agreement to modify the barriers and rigidities, both economic and political, which may be claimed to deny to peoples or nations equality of opportunity or treatment; for naturally it is by such wise anticipations that revolutionary and catastrophic events are to be forestalled.
Within the measure of their capacity the Government of Canada remain ready and indeed anxious to explore all practicable means to implement or revitalize the principles which Mr. Hull has so opportunely restated, and they will always welcome any specific proposals for wide international co-operation that may be put forward on such a basis.
Accept [etc.]
- Copy transmitted to the Department by the Minister in his despatch No. 1541, August 12; received August 13.↩