Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17th, 1920. UNITED STATES AND THE TREATY.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 March 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17th, 1920. UNITED STATES AND THE TREATY.

Ix is announced that after months of political squabbling the Peace Treaty is not going to be ratified by the United States. The rival parties are unable to agree even to the reservations, and so a great nation is to cut a sorry spectacle as a result of her politician s actions. Aipalrt from this, there is also the meddlesome character of Mr Wilson’s interference with the peace settlement in .Europe. The French press has lost patience with him and is caustic in its criticism of his actions and tho general leanings of America. In regard to the latter, the revelations of Admiral Sims throws a good deal of light on the spirit animating the United States at the time of its entry into the war. Judge Alden when speaking here lately, referred to America enter- ' ing “the fate war—late,” and the procrastination appears to be part of a plan of action to delay real activity in reference to the war. Admiral Sims would not be disposed to “show up his country without lie felt that the occasion demanded the publicity. America entered the war tardily, and not with the enthusiasm to play a big part. She was already reaping a harvest of dollars, and this inflowing wealth was more in keeping with the national aspirations. It seems to be a very sordid attitude, but .if the word of Admiral Sims is to pass, it is difficult to fit any other explanation which would explain I the actual poistion. And since the war j has ended what of the attitude of the United States? Her actions again do not fit in with the desire to seek peace j and ensure it. She is not a real active i participant in the off oft to secure ratification of the treaty. She enjoys 1 through her wealth, a dominating posi- ! tion, and there are signs that she ' would exercise her advantage at any time to the discomfiture of those beholden to her. While America was supposed to he participating in a war to end war, she now aims at creating the greatest navy the world lia s ever seen—because it is to be superior lo the greatest navy which now exists. desire for naval aggrandisement. The naval force which.threaten, ed the peace of the world is destroyed. The naval force which rendered the world the greatest service of mainly destroying th a t N enemy force, is, as it always was, at the service of America and the rest of the world, to maintain the peace of the world, and the security of the ocean highways. America ha s nothing to fear from the British Navj\ Yet she would in these days of economic disaster and starvation in Europe, divert from the proper peaceful channels the labor brains to build her a navy second to none. This attitude and the attitude of the American poli. ticians calls into question tho good faith of the United States. In the light of the Sims’ revelations it would appear that the (American Navy' hung back to the fullest extent, and allowed the w a r to drag on to tho greater discomfiture of the Allies. Why this strange course was indulged in, is still a matter to be cleared up. Of course in tho War, America never became actually associated with the other Allies. She stood apart. The reason for this is becoming more and more apparent to the staining of the Yankee escutcheon.