The Hawera Star. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1924. THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 7 November 1924, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1924. THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY

Delivered even- evening by 5 o’cloeK fn Hawera, Manaia, Nortnanby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Opunake, Otakelio, Manutahi, Alton, Hurleyville, Patea, Waverley, Mokoia, Whakamara, Ohangai, Aleremere, Fraser Road, and Ararata.

The great excitement which is always connected with the election of President of the United States is over for another four years, and Mr. Coolidge has secured an easy victory over his opponents. His success was anticipated, for the Republican Convention in the middle of the year was a quiet gathering compared with the Democratic Convention which, after unprecedented noise and very protracted sittings finally chose Mr. Davis, a man who- had given excellent service while representing the United States as Ambassador in Great Britain. The entry of Mr. La Follette into the contest, as representing interests independent of the two great parties, brought about a triangular fight for the first time, though, the vigorous Senator was

not regarded as having any chance of election. The President of the Unit* ed States occupies a very difficult position. Great things are expected of him, and in certain matters he has much power, but in other matters he has no authority, as was so clearly seen in 1919, when Mr. Wilson was able to take the chairmanship of the Peace Conference, have an important say in the Treaty of Versailles and sign it, but had no power to commit the United States to the League of Nations, and, because in the mind 6 of Americans he exceeded his powers he lbst the high office of which he was at one time such a popular occupant. The downfall of Mr. Wilson was greatly regretted bv British people, but it was the American way, and Mr. Wilson and his League ambitions had to go. But as time passes the people of the United States have found that to remain in glorious isolation from international affairs is becoming more difficult, and the feeling that America ought to take some definite part in international matters has grown steadily more widespread. The late President Harding with his World Court plan gave expression to this feeling, and the Washington Conference was successful in limiting armaments for ten years. Mr. Coolidge, when he became President, expressed himself as a follower of Mr. Harding, and his election to office for another four years should enable him to build upon his predecessor’s foundations. Mr. Coolidge intends to call another conference to deal with the armaments question when he regards the time as propitious, and he will no doubt continue to work in the direction of bringing into operation the World Court. Whether the American people will change their attitude towards the League of Nations one cannot say, but we do not think that British people will care much whether it be the League of Nations or the World Court, so long as a strong and effective means for preserving the peace of the world is found. Insofar as the Presidential election has a bearing upon America’s attitude towards international affairs, it, is interesting to the other nations, but it is difficult to understand why it is attended with such enormous excitement throughout the United States. The position of President is the highest in the land, hut when the election campaign is made so bitter and every possible scandal is unearthed by the one side or the other, it must be an office which few people would care to hold; in fact, history shows that, the President, acclaimed by tens of thousands of his fellow citizens, may easily lose his popularity 'and find himself faced bv many most bitter enemies. May President Coolidge be able to lead America wisely into taking her proper place in world affairs will be the wish of the people throughout the British Empire.