The Dominion. FRIDAY, JULY 14, 1916. AMERICA AT THE CROSS ROADS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2823, 14 July 1916, Page 4

The Dominion. FRIDAY, JULY 14, 1916. AMERICA AT THE CROSS ROADS

The great things that arc at present happening in_ the sphere of international politics are causing much anxiety in the United States. They have a very important bearing upon the movement there in favour of a larger and more efficient army and a,: stronger navy, and, they point to the need for a radical change in America's foreign policy. The Russo-Japanese Alliance was a disquieting move from the American point of view, and Americans .are abo uneasy regarding the probablo effect of the Paris Conference resolutions on American commerce. This vast commercial combination must exert, a powerful influence on the world's trade, and Americans are beginning to realise tho disadvantages of' the isolated position in which the foreign policy of the Wilson Administration lias placed them. Both these matters are just now receiving the attention of the Senate, and they are sure to be given a deal of prominence in the Presidential election campaign. This year's election will be one of the outstanding events in the political history of the United States. Amer. ica's world outlook is - at present by no means promising, The Government's narrowness of vision and weak handling of foreign affairs have_ in a measure loft Amcrica out in the cold while other nations are co-operating on a great scale for •the_ protection and promotion of their political and commercial interests. A movement was recently Btarted at Washington with- the object of securing a commercial agreement between the United States and Russia, but the possibility of the success of this proposal lias been materially lessoned by the RussoJapancse treaty. Russia lias entered into an allianco with Japan, and by so doing she lias strengthened the bonds which bind thti'Entente Powers in the most powerful union the world has ever seen. Ameri-" cans are now beginning to see that it is neither safe nor profitable to play the role of a disinterested onlooker in world politics, and this realisation of the injurious consequences of President Wilson's timid and short-sighted foreign policy may result in the election ol Judge Hughes, the Eepublican candidate at tho Presidential election this year.

Though Amcrica is not at war, she is being compelled by tho war •*to changc her traditional attitudo to the outside world. The ncccssity of framing a post-war policy is already being recognised. A recent cablegram stated that in tho course o£ ft spcech in tlm Senate, Mr. Stone, President of the Foreign Relations Committee, gave a "significant indication" of the form the new policy will take. Referring to the resolutions of tho Paris Conference ho declared that unless America was considered by tho European Power;-; in any commercial allianec they may enter into she would find it ,neccssary to adopt a definite defensive policy. But in these days effective defenco involves treaty relations with other .nations. The isolated State will find it increasingly

difficult in the future to enforce its 'claims and lo protect jts interests abroad. America is now finding [that she cannot stand alone. She i may come to an understanding with I some European Power, or group of Powers, 01; she may seek to strength, en her position by .placing herself in alliance wjth the other American republics. As far as defence is concerned, the - Monroe Doctrine may be regarded as a starting point for a pan-American alliance, but the formation of n close commercial union of tIS American republics would present material difficulties owing to the nature of the trade and financial relationships which now exist between tho South American States and the European nations, it is quito clear, however, that the United States has reached a turning point in its history. It is this racfc that gives vital importance to tho coming Presidential elcotion. In their campaign platform, the Progressive Republican Party declares that the nation's "choice of path will be irrevocable. The tradition of isolation has been ended. The United States.is now part of the world system of civilisation," and she, will stand or fall she prepares now to take her part in peace or war, and hold her own therein. Whether she likes it 6r not, America is a member of an international community, and it is both her duty and her interest to "be strong to defend the corner-stones of civilisation," which German lawlessness has threatened to destroy. As Mb. Roosevelt and his Progressive followers havo decided to give their support to Judge Hughes, tho Republican candidate for the Presidency, it is reasonable to assume that Judge Hughes is, broadly speaking, in sympathy with their declaration in favour of a strong ! foreign policy based on "a willingness and a prepared ability" to I defend America's rights and the rights of -other nations.