“Taranaki Central Press” THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 1937. IS AMERICA RELENTING?

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 402, 8 April 1937, Page 4

“Taranaki Central Press” THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 1937. IS AMERICA RELENTING?

o —— Having consolidated his position in America, President Roosevelt is apparently anxious to render assistance to Europe. It will be recalled that when Erst elected in 1933 Mr. Roosevelt indicated an intention to co-operate with Great Britain in the cause of peace, but the idea of intervention was not so popular as it might have been, and America concentrated on the recovery plans. The Washington correspondent of the New York Times is responsible for the statement that in the course of next week the President will propose to the principal military Powers a general conference on disarmament to take place at Copenhagen this year. There are signs that something is afoot, though the report is officially denied. The general consensus of public opinion for many years has been that the United States and Britain could dictate peace to the world. If this be regarded as an exaggeration, it is certain that such an attitude would have the effect of aligning with the two great Anglo-Saxon countries at least two other powerful nations, probably more. The balance of strength would be well on their side and it could be believed with confidence that the vexed question of peace or war would be well on the way to being settled for a long period It is reasonable to suppose that a report from a well-informed Washington source has much to recommend it, and the fact that the inte; pretation of the Monroe Doctrine has undergone a radical change may make a great difference in the outlook of those who have discouraged action in the catise of international agreement. Tie discussions may have a wide? scope, for the United States may desirs to mention the matter of trade, which has become a ver? uncertain quantity since the w;:r. It would seem probable that, if the president is induced to make an appeal to the Powers, ard the conference takes place, we shall have a new League in which the great Republic is prepared to play a leading part, and n which other important adjustments ensuring a better understanding will be made. Conceivably the position created by the civil war in Spam and the adoption of opposing causes by Germany, France, Italy and Russia has placed .« merica in a quandary owing to the natural desire for the integrity of Spain generated in the Latin States of South America.