The Daily News. MONDAY, MARCH 28, 1921. AMERICA’S NEW REGIME.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 March 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, MARCH 28, 1921. AMERICA’S NEW REGIME.

The transfer of the Government of the United States from the Democrats to the Republicans marks a new era in that, country. Apparently the new President is more concerned with what America should not do than with outlining a policy of action, except in the direction of higher tariffs consequent on the increased cost of production. Under the new order of government America will seek no part in directing the destinies of the Old World. In the light of the context this -policy may be construed as a refusal to join the League of Nations as at present constituted, with the obligation to enforce the League’s decrees, but America is willing to join an “Association of Nations” in an advisory capacity—that is .to say, give counsel and influence decisions, but to take.no responsibility that will involve the employment of force or be likely to adversely affect American interests. While recognising developing menaces, America will give no people cause to make war on her. “We hold,” said President Harding, “no national prejudices, entertain no spirit of revenge, and no dreakis of conquest, and only when war is forced on the great Republic will there be a consecration of all America to national defence.” Apparently the inference to be drawn from this declaration is that America should not have taken part in the war or in the evolution of a League of Nations, a feature of which is a permanent military alliance to prevent war. Instead, her desire is to rely solely on ‘ ‘ mediation, conciliation, arbitration, the clarification of international law and the establishment ot a world court.” If this policy is sincere, and the new President s pledge to “recommend a way to approximate disarmament” is not mere playing to the gallery, what can be said of the ambitious scheme whereby the American Navy a to outrival that o ■ any other Powwl It « significant that no 'ii»4nti<vi of this naval question was made in the address, and just how it fits m with disarmament and pacific means not clear. Since the action ot the United fl ates Senate over the nonratifieatlm of ff League Cove naut it has been evident t J

the Republicans are determined to do all in their power to isolate America from outside troubles; but if their policy is to prevent war by mediation, then it would seem to require enlarging by prohibiting the manufacture of munitions of war and the building of warships and other engines of destruction for the service of themselves or of other nations. A country that will, for the sake of profit, supply war material, and yet not lift a hand to help oppressed nations to resist enemies supplied by it with arms as a matter of trade, can hardly be held up as a pattern of advanced civilisation, or an example of just dealing; rather does it indicate a purely selfish attitude. An illustration - of this is afforded by the proposed separate peace between America and Germany, which appears to have moved France to make a desperate effort to convince the American Government of the hardships and disadvantages that would result to her therefrom. America was practically a party to the Treaty of Versailles, and the fact that formal ratification was not made does not relieve her from the solemn obligation to at least not take action that will prejudice the Allies, more especially France. The problem is one that can be solved by suitable reservations, but honor and justice demand that Gei'many must fulfil the treaty, and that America shall take no step that may be likely to weaken the Allies’ hands. Mr. Harding enters on his term of President at a time and under circumstances of exceptional difficulty. He will need all t-’’e tact and wisdom that he can command, especially if America is to maintain her status as a world Power, and to exercise a beneficial influence on mundane affairs within and without the great Republic. May he be found worthy of the high office he holds, and of the vast interests dependent on his policy.