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Hokitika Guardian, 7 August 1923, Page 2

Tin: passing of President Harding was dramatically sudden. The curlier messages of Friday stated the patient wa-s practically out cf danger, but before the day bad dosed tbe President ot the I'nited States bud passed to his long boine. llis death removes a figure iu American history "ho "ill he remembered always us tbe sponsor for tlm Washington Conference, whereby the Great IVnve-is agreed to limit their navies, and so postponed more imlefi-

nitcly than ever the recurrence of another great war. America had a good deal to gain by this master-stroke, which leaves her high and dry, anil far removed from a world conflagration. It was ko|>ed that following the naval disarmament, the I'nitcd States would come into line on tho que.stu n of the l-oagno of Nations, and so in turn limit military organisation also. But President Harding ns the mouthpiece of the States has held aloof from full | articipation, apparently recognising that association with tho League would mean ultimate embroilment in European allnirs, and that of course is contrary to the Monroe doctrine. It was this disposition which caused America to withdraw from the ) caec overtures which the former President was so intsnimental ill directing, and ultimately caused America to decline to take up an Eastern mandate, whence followed the Turko-Greek tumble.

Mu llAitniNf: was the 2‘Jth. President of America, and had occupied about 2j years of office. There were still 18 months of the term of office to run, and this evidently will he filled by the viee-Pre.Adent, Mr Calvin Goolidge. The sudden death of the President will throw political issues into the melting pot. Tho outcome will depend in a great measuie on the force and character of the new leader. If Mr Uoolidge can rise adequately to the situation all may be well, but otherwise matters politi-al will he very distraught in the I'nitcd States. 'Elio policy of Mr Ilarding was one of extreme caution. He seemed always to be feeling his way, and never attempted the heroic. In that way his prestige suffered to some extent, but that he was sound and envofeiil was at least- woithy at tributes for one tilling so impel taut an office in a country as complex as the United States. Mr Harding will be remembered as n ‘‘safe” President, one who carefully weighed national issues, and then elected to move warily. He was one who was not prepared to take any hurried step wheioby the nation might, become entangled in any outside difficulties. He was not disposed to become involved in any Old \Vo:ld difficulties whereby there was the possibility of being drawn inio a surging international vortex.

'l'm: (loath of Mr Harding might bo tt:o moans of paving the way to a more intimate Anglo-American alliance. The settlement of the debt question makes the 1 rospoct of this much brighter. Public (/pinion is more disposed now than ever to such an alliance. There ice those in the States who realise that An.eiiea withdrew from Europe before finishing the work which was i"> hand, and that in consequence an undue burden was thrown upon Britain. The time might he very opportune now for the “closer relationship” which Mr Harding himself has hinted at. There is a better understanding, and racial destiny stages ts that it would lie well to cement that understanding in some plighted way whereby the future of the world could be assisted to a. brighter outlook. We know that Europe is in sore distress, and without some magnetic leadership superior to petty feelings and jealousies, that pnrt of the world will not redeem itself in a century. Tf tiierc is n ray of hope for the future it would he in an Anglo-Ameri-can union which sought to save Eu-. rope from itself and to place the nor- ! them hemisphere generally on its feet j again. Mr Harding hung hack from j the task though realising it was there to ho done. Will his successor enter the breach and shine to do what must obviously lx.- done, and so add everlasting lustre to the greatness of the United States.