WHAT DOES MR ROOSEVELT MEAN?

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 12, 7 October 1937, Page 4

WHAT DOES MR ROOSEVELT MEAN?

Althouga, so far, lt coiisists only m talk, where so orten American interest in world affairs is so apt to end, except when American interests are involved, it is worth noting that, with regard to the horrors that are happening in China and Spain, the good folk of the United States, led by their President, are at least beginning to think whether it is tnot time for them "to do something about it." So far there is certainly nothing very definite in what Mr Roosevelt has had to say. There is, however, somthing of a new note in such phrases as "therefore we must make positive endeavours to preserve peace" and "America must therefore engage actively in the search for peace." In the words themselves there is, of course, nothing of specific commitmen't to be found, but some weight may be given to the journalistic interpretation that is being put upon them and to the popular approval with which they would seem to have met. k On the other hand, our message giving .extracts froin American press comment winds up with a warning chorus against "any steps being taken which may involve the United States in war." Jn Japan's present temper — and it is manifestly against Japan in particular that American feeling runs high it is difficult to see what effective steps can be taken to check her without serious danger of further war looming up in the background. Although her military pride has no doubt suffered something of a set-back by the unexpectedly strong opposing front the Chinese have shown, J apan is still very much up in the stirrups, and it may well be doubted whether mere moral ^ suasion will have very much effect upon her unless there is be- ■ hind it some show of the possibility of forcible coercion in one form or another. , It will therefore be with some curiosity that the world will await indication from President Roosevelt as to what it is he may have to propose, for he can scarcely stop short at the point he has now reached. The. "New York Times'.' in its. comment says that "the President' s speech was primanly addressto Japan and was timed to encourage definite action bv the Lehgue of Nations." But something more than mere wordy encoiiragement is surely to be expected from the biggest and wealthiest Christian nation. The League has already had some rather unhappy experiences in no small measure due to the lack of support from America. What it is obviously entitled • to'iask is as to the active support it may now expect from the co.untry which quite as much as any other is individually con'cefned to see* peace permanently restored on the shores of fehe North Pacific Ocean. What is it, then, that Mr Roosevelt has to offer? The American journal already quoted says further that "the President has thrown the door wide open to the collabpratio'n of the United States with other nations to check Japan's illegal course in China." Surely it is for America, having put forward the suggestion, to intimate how far and in what way , she is prtfepared to collaborate. The American paper, whether presidentially inspired or not, speaks of calling a conference under the Nine-Power Treaty signed at Washington — by Japan among other great Powers — nearly sixteen years ago.^ Bv her practical annexation of Manchuria and by her present invasion of Chinese territory Japan has very flagrantly violated her undertakings under that treaty. But there is nothing in it that calls automatically for disciplinary action on the part of the other signatories'. What good purpose, then, is to be served by calling a conference under it unless some great Power is ready to propose and participate fully in taking some such action with all the incidental risks of war that it would almost necessarily involve ? The New York editor speaks of a concerted "practical programme in the Far East." Has the United States any such programme to submit with responsibility to play her full part in carrying it through ? These are pertinent questions that President Roosevelt, having gone as far as he has, is certainly called upon to answer. America has hitherto been calmly content to looi? on while Great Britain takes the lead in attempts to rectify the unhappy conditions into which the world has fallen, and always, too, with ready criticism for any failure that has attended those efforts, The opportunity now offers for America, in a matter where she is closely interested, to assume that lead —which Great Britain would doubtless gladly surrender to her. If she can "show the world" how, in the present temper of some of the Great Powers, peace is fo be permanently established and preserved without being prepared to run at least some risk of further war the world will be very greatly indebted to her.