Patience!

This week, stung to speech by a swarm of critics, Cordell Hull presented the most reasonable and persuasive defense of the Administration's foreign policy yet officially offered. His keynote: be patient--perhaps for a long time.

Patience! he said to the peoples of the conquered countries. The United Nations have no intentions but to help you establish strong, progressive popular, governments. But first must come stability and order. The U.S. had hoped that by now enough of Italy would have been freed to permit "at least a preliminary expression" of the people's will. "Events have not progressed according to our hopes," noted Mr. Hull dryly. As for France: "The President and I ... are disposed to see the French Committee of National Liberation exercise leadership to establish law and order under the supervision of the Allied Commander in Chief."

Patience! he said to the people of the U.S. Why has the U.S. not cracked down harder and sooner on Axis-aiding neutrals? "Our power was limited. They and we have continually been forced to accept compromises. . . . But that period, I believe, is rapidly drawing to a close."

Patience! First things must come first. "It is hardly to be supposed that all the more than 30 boundary questions in Europe can be settled while the fighting is still in progress." But the U.S. stands ready to help settle such questions at any time "as exemplified by our offer to be of such service to Poland and the Soviet Union."

Patience! Blue prints for world organization cannot be drawn overnight. But the State Department is hard at work. So are other Allied Governments. The European Advisory Commission is working on plans for the future of Germany.

"Our foreign policy," concluded Mr. Hull, "is comprehensive, is stable, and is known of all men." And after his soothing hour's address, it seemed almost rude to suggest that it may also be so cautious as to be dangerous, or to propose that the American people should be informed, aroused and challenged to think and debate their way through the great issues that confront them. Mr. Hull was particular upon this latter point. In this election year, he said, the people bear an especial responsibility in U.S. foreign relations. "It is the responsibility of avoiding needless controversy. ... It is the responsibility for patience. . . ."

As a token of his good will, Mr. Hull said he would seek participation of Congress, on a bi-partisan basis, in the formulation of policy at the proper time.

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