The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “ The West Coast Times,” SATURDAY JUNE 4th 1921. THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 June 1921, Page 2

The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “ The West Coast Times,” SATURDAY JUNE 4th 1921. THE WEEK.

Tine Anglo-American relations are now a matter of great import to both countries. ( l mi 1 lately probably -the United States did not think very concretely about British politics while, as a Sydney paper says, until recently the outside world knew little and cared less about American politics. Tammany bimetallism, and the other burning issues of the day left us cold; the echoes of the Presidential battle sseemed very remote. The first occasion on which a I’i evidential election attracted any widespread attention beyond America was in 1916, and the interest then aroused was due to self interest. AYhat bearing would the result have on the war? Which candidate could l>e regard ed as most inclined to favour the Allied cause? Would either of them be likely to enlist America oil the side of the All it's ? Judge Hughes, it was said, would receive the heavy German vote, and if this were true, not much was to be expected from him. Mr Wilson on the other hand, had repeatedly insisted that America's duty was to observe the strictest neutrality; he had forbidden officers of the American army and navy to discyss the war in public. He scorned wedded to the conviction that the pen was mightier than the sword, and was lie not moreover the author of the celebrate aphorism

that America was too proud to fight! The general opinion, outside America, appeared to be- that, as far as the prospects of intervention were concerned, there was little to choose between the two candidates. Mr Wilson won the election; not long after America came into the war. Victory fell to the Allies and at the Versailles Conference the American President formulated those proposals which were to inaugurate an utterly new era in America’s foreign policy. No longer must America remain remote, apart, indifferent to the chances and changes of the European horizon. She had entered the arena of world politics and there she must stay. No longer could she rest sufficient unto herself; she must assume those wider responsibilities lor which her wealth and her power had fitted her.

This involved a complete departure from America’s tradition of aloofness, but although President Wilson had no authority to commit America to adherence t the League, few doubted that America would follow him. The surprise was great and the disappointment keen when it became clear that the Senate would not ratify the Treaty wil!r> re ervations in the Covenant which the President l efrsct] tn accept, and whi.h

indeed would have emasculated the Covenant. The attitude of the Republican majority ill the Senate seemed to provide the clue to American political alignment with regard to foreign aft'aifs. The Democrats wished America to assume the responsibilities implied by membership of the League; the Republicans, on the other hand, were selfishly jealous) of America's complete freedom of action, and were determined to keep her clear of any foreign entanglements. In the light of this the* ory the victory of the Republican candidate last year not only destroyed the last chance of America’s adhesion to the League, but also meant that A moC had definitely declared against any further participation in world politics.. True, Mr Harding intimated that though America would have nothing to do with the League in its present form, she’ was not averse from joining some association of nations whose aims approximated to those of the League. But not very much importance was attached to this statement; the time and circumstances of its utterance suggested that it might be an electioneering •‘stunt.” Howkvku, the theory that it is possible to classify American opinion on America’s foreign responsibilities according to party allegiance is unsound. America cannot be neatly ticketed and packed away 1n water-tight compartments in this convenient fashion. In respect of America’s views in this matter party labels are meaningless. To say that the Republican as such is against participation in world politics is as incorrect as to sa v that the Democrat as such is in favour of the L'eague Many Democrats arc bitterly opposed <o tbLeague Mr Robert l/msing. for. instance, who was one of the American delegation at the Peace Conference. Certainly in America there is a tradition of aloofness but we should remember that it is the inheritance of no particular party. Tn the past Democrats an 1 Republicans alike have asserted the doctrine that America should; avoid entangling alliances, and if through the force of circumstances the views of the one have changed there is no reason to suppose that the other should be impervious to the same arguments. Wej should also remember that, although reluctance to assume extra American responsibilities was an important factor in the rejection of the Treaty, it was only one of several. Personal hostility to President AVilsori counted for a good deal, the President identified the Treaty and the League with himself and thereby almost invited a rebuff, AdAix, exception was tnkeil to several points in the Covenant which were but remotely connected with the general question of participation in foreign affairs. A body of opinion objected, wroitgly or rightly, to th 0 mandates on the ground that they were merely a subterfuge, a cloak for annexation. Another objection, based, we lielieve, on an entir c misapprehension, was to the system of representation allowed to the British Empire. The opposition to Article X was due to an unwillingness to submit to any limitations upon American sovereignty and to commit America to undertakings of such an indefinite character. But here, as is now generally admitted. America’s attitude hardly deserves the criticism which was formerly directed at it. America merely announced in advance that she would not promise to do what many signatories of the Covenant might in quite conceivable circumstances refuse to do if it came to the point. Jn fact, the rejection of the Treaty and the defeat of the Democratic nominee did not necessarily imply that America had finally renounced world politics. On the contrary, since the new Administration has been established in office there lias been much to suggest that Amerk a recognises that she owes it both to herself and the world not to bold herself aloof. She is to confer with the Powers on disarmament and on various matters connected with the settlement of Europe, and who knows what may come out of these beginnings. After all, llio Covenant of the League does not exhaust all the j>ossil>ilities; and the important thing is that America still admits the truth that no nation today can live wholly unto itself. The weak require protection; the strong have responsiblities which they cannot in honour evade.

Til Kit K seems to ho some ordering in the fitness of things, when in the midst of all the turmoil in the Motherland, superior cricket holds such sway with the English folk. Despite wlmt is happening hourly in Ireland; notwithstanding the great crisis arising out of the national coal strike ,involving such dislocation of industry and transport; the whole imagination of the nation, if we may judge from the lengthy press cables is held by the happenings on the cricket field. There, eleven men aside, expert with bat and ball are entertaining thousands of people,very much to their gratification. Every major and minor incident comes into full review. The story of each “over” is cdßled overseas, and the prowess of the howler, batsman, and fielder is detailed to the finest point. A nation of sports, we are called, and there is something in it. “Flannelled fools,” perhaps as Kipling flubbed the votaries of the great

national game; but it is all worth while. The pastime helps to take the sting out of more immediate national events. Minds, not entirely obessed by the troubles and dangers of the hour, review‘the latter in a better perspective, form a clearer judgment, and moot their difficulties in ft better spirit. Sport kills pessimism and e ncou rages optimism, and just now the Englishmen are learning to take their defeat at their own game, cheerfully. The Australians have things very much their own way. They are playing super cricket, and so the better side is winning. This is being recognised in the right spirit, and Warner and other .authorities are acknowledging it very generously. Cricket is a great sport and pastime and its glory is being enhanced by the remarkable series of victories the Australians are achieving in the home and origin of cricket.

The function of laying the foundation stone of the School War Memorial yesterday was carried through most successfully. The weather was almost all that could be desired, and the gathering was quite worthy the occasion. The presiding Chairman, Air Shannon, carried out his dueies in a most exemplary manner and everything passed off very pleasingly. The Masonic part of the ceremony was carried out according to ancient custom and the proceedings were following with great interest It was a specially phasing feature to note that the principal officers connected with the cermony were all from Greymouth, thus evidencing the good feeling of intercourse between the two towns which might always prevail. H'c occasion was further enhanced by the presence of a Minister of the. Crown and the Member for Westland, both of whom on me specially from Wellington for the film tion. The speeches by those two gentlemen were most appropriate to the occasion, and served to mark the event with special interest, lhe memorial now so well launched should prove a monument of peculiar interest to the town and district. The scholars could not but be impressed with the ceremonial which marked the laying of the foundation stone, and they will revere the monument for all time at its true worth. It marks the true spirit of citizenship and the response to those larger responsihilties of life to which we are all heir to when wc go out into the world to play our part ns men and women. The monument will serve to keep in memory some of the brightest and best of the school traditions, and its presence will serve as a reminder of the duty which also falls to the let of succeeding generations in their love and affection for their country. It is to be hoped that as little time as possible will be lost in completing the memorial. Tt has a peculiar nurpose to serve and it will be there for all time a silent witness of the great services rendered, and a memorial for the sacrifices entailed in tlie rendering of those great services.