150	THREE  YEARS  OF  CALM  BEFORE  THE STORM
convictions as to how the world should be ordered, and
who are apt to denounce those who oppose their dictates as if
they were disturbers of peace. No one is qualified to talk world
peace unless he not only knows the national aspirations and
obligations of his country but also understands and appreciates
the standpoints of other countries. The understanding and
appreciation of another country's standpoint is often attainable
through the understanding and appreciation of that country's
culture and civilization. We have succeeded in building up our
national strength and prestige by adding and adapting to our
civilization Occidental art and science, which we have imported
during the past years. Now it is time for us, I believe, to try to
introduce our arts and culture to other lands, and thus contribute
towards international good understanding and to the enrichment
of the world civilization and the promotion of the peace and
happiness of mankind.
SENATOR PITTMAN TELLS OFF JAPAN
February 11, 1936
Received from the Department a cablegram quoting the com-
ments of the Secretary on Senator Pittman's inflammatory speech
in the Senate about the danger to the United States of Japanese
aggression. Mr. Hull said that he had not been consulted about the
speech and had had no hand in its preparation—of course. These
telegrams from the Department are very helpful to us in checking up
on press reports. Of course the Pittman speech was utterly jingoistic
and it is quite right that the American press editorials should ex-
coriate it as they appear to have done. But just the same I per-
sonally and unofficially am not sorry that it was delivered and believe
that its net result will be helpful rather than harmful—or rather that
its advantages will outweigh its disadvantages.
From the American point of view it should serve to modify the
outcry which will be raised by the pacifists against our big military
and naval budgets. In Japan it should tend to indicate to the Govern-
ment and public that we are not, as many believe here, a country
ruled by our peace organizations and women pacifists, and that
when slapped in the face often and hard enough a time might come
when we wouldn't turn the other cheek. The Japanese, I think, tend
to forget history, which shows that the American people are among
the most inflammable in the world ; they forget the sudden wave of
anger which swept over our country like a forest fire almost over-
night in 1898 and brought on the war with Spain against the wishes
and intentions of the Government, Congress, and the great majority
of the public, and there has been so much peace talk and activity
since the Great Wax that they seem to regard our action in 1917 as
in a forgotten era. I am therefore not at all sure but that an occasional
speech like Pittmati's is useful in making the Japanese at least stop