The Daily News. FRIDAY, MAY 30, 1919. RE-ADJUSTMENT OF AMERICAN OUTLOOK.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 May 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, MAY 30, 1919. RE-ADJUSTMENT OF AMERICAN OUTLOOK.

In view of the enthusiasm with which the American people enter ed into the war and the splendid response of her manhood to the call for military service, it is somewhat difficult for those outside the United States to reconcile the display of bitterness towards President ; Wilson on the part of certain Senators. It is only fair to assume that political partisanship is in some measure responsible for the outcry against America's participation in the League of Nations covenant, but in the main we may regard the unseemly attitude as evidence of the need for a readjustment of the American outlook. It is claimed that the United States is a cosmos all by itself, and that the people have so much to think about and to study in connection with new theories of administration, and are so busy developing their resources that they cannot be expected to give much attention to the wants of others cir to the benefits which alien peoples might derive from American tutelage. The traditions of the people are provincial—almost paro-

ehial—and their isolation proverbial, and the continuing sense of tliis isolation was reflected in a remarkable way in the educational and civic ideals of the years imme diately preceding the recent war. There had been a notable campaign of education in the duties of citizenship, carried on in the schools, in public forums and in the press. The more localised the discussions upon home affairs were, the more real and vitalised was the influence of the movement, even obscuring the larger issues of national policy. The ignorance of world politics on the part of Americans is only one feature which bears on the problem. One American writer states the case thus: "When we entered the Spanish war there was not the slightest idea that we might get entangled in the Philippines. The situation was forced on us by the development of the war, and we have been trying ever since to make the best of it, but just as we were forced into a false position then, so the development of the negotiations in Paris may compel us to assume duties which we had never before contemplated. . . . Our losses in the war have been trifling compared with yours; had they been greater, there might have sprung up the same irresistible demand that war should be made forever impossible . . . The war has widened our horizon immensely, but it will take more than that to prepare us for so serious and novel a task as to shoulder the white man's burden."

When the great awakening of the main section of the American peo pie came it was accompanied by a moral fervor as remarkable as it was thorough—an emotional response to a moral appeal. Writing on this aspect of the matter, another American says: "In these moral forces lie tho possibility, if it exists, of a re-adjustment of the American outlook to the newer obligatior.s of World citizenship The challenge to the call of duty will be met by the people of the United States now as they have always met it when definitely and clearly put to them. Their reluctance to assume responsibilities in colonial administration can be no greater than the reluctance with which they went into this wijr, but once it was felt there was no alternative, the country became, to the surprise of all cavillers, more unanimous in support of the war than over any single question in its history. In the same way there is no' doubt but that if the entrance of the United States into the League of Nations is seen to involve a direct obligation to assume mandatory powers over derelict anil backward peoples, the unanimous support of the country will be assured. What is needed is a guarantee that the entry of the United States upon these new and unwelcome duties is really necessary for the carrying out of the purposes for which the war was fought." There is no one in a better position than President Wils.on to give this guarantee. It was owing to his persistent advocacy that the League of Nations■ covenant was made part of the peace terms. He is in a large measure the author of the League, and it is his duty to convince the American people that it is absolutely necessary for the United States to assume equal responsibility with the other signatories in carrying, out the scheme. Under the circumstances there can be no question of Britain or any other nation drawing the United States into "unwilling duties." As one of the chief authors of the League it may fairly be assumed that President Wilson was well aware that his country was committed to a course of action that needed a re-adjustment of policy, and the Allies are justified in expecting that the President 's action will be endorsed by his people as a matter of honor as well as of duty.

THE GAS WORKS.

New Plymouth ratepayers will be interested in the decision of the Borough Council to open up negotiations with the Gas Company again, with a view to acquiring its interests. It will be recollected that some years ago the company was approached to sell to the borough, but satisfactory terms could not be arranged. Since then the electric lighting has been extending at a rapid rate, and it should be easier to come to terms now. It is recognised that in a borough like New Plymouth, with such good prospects before it, gas must alwayß bs a necessity, and play a part in tho town's development. It is a public utility, and there can be no question that it should be in the hands cf the municipality, which is in a better position to develop it than any private concern. Under its charter—which should never have been granted—the company has wide • antl exclusive powers Tor instance, it can excavate for the purpose of laying mains or services, tearing up the footpaths and the roads that may have been newly laid down. If under the control of the council, the work of relaying mains could be done concurrently with other work. The borough would be sure of a full and continuous supply of tav, which has become an absi.-lute necessity in these days of tar-sealing, and could supply the best gas obtainable at a reasonable cost. The Gas Company, it must be conceded, has served the town well in the past, but its business has been run primarily for profit, and not for service. Under the council's directidn it would stiU have to be made to pay its way, but it could extend in many directions not possible at present. What we have said will show the advantage of the town acquiring the property, if reasonable terms can be obtained. The financing o* the purchase should not present insuperable difficulties, and the extra liability that would be occasioned would be purely nominal. New Plymouth before long will be a much larger and more important town than it is to-day, and the council is well advised in opening negotiations for the purchase of such an essential public service.