U.S. POLICY.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 April 1921, Page 5

U.S. POLICY.

THE LEAGUE REJECTED. MAKING PEACE WITH GERMANY. FUTURE DEFENCE PLANS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright, Received April 13, 5.5 p.m. Washington, April 12. President Harding, in a speech in Congress, regretted the world was so ill prepared for the war’s aftermath and he urged the need of every possible step to find a normal onward way again. The surest procedure was for every Government to put its own house in order. There was no more pressing problem than restricting national expenditure within income, and he declared that taxes during the next four years must average four thousand million dollars annually.

President Harding urged the immediate adoption of a resolution declaring peace with Germany, but not hampering the collection of reparations for the restoration of devastated Europe. He declared a separate peace inadequate and that it would be wiser to accept the confirmation of United States rights under the existing treaty, if satisfied as to the reserva ion of modifications securing freedom from inadvisable commitments. President Harding said a declaration of peace with Germany could in no sense be construed as desertion of the Allies.

PEACE PROBLEM. President Harding added that it would be idle to declare for a separate peace with the Central Powers on the assumption that alone these would be adequate, because the situation was so involved that our peace engagements could not ignore old world relationships and the settlement already effected, nor was it desirable to do so in preserving our own rights and contracting future relationships. Re-affirming allegiance to an ideal world association of nations, President Harding said this problem must be deliberately considered. The United States would take no part in the existing League of Nations, but would heartily join an association to promote peace. In the existing League of Nations the world was being governed by its superpowers and this Republic could have no part therein. There would be no betrayal of the deliberate expression of the American people at the recent election in rejecting the League covenant. President Harding added that he believed the League of Nations was dead, but America made no surrender of its hope and aim for an association to promote peace. He was opposed to including in the peace resolution any deciaraticn of future policy regarding Europe. He urged the necessity of an adequate navy, which would be ready to co-operate with other nations. America was ready to co-operate with other nations in approximate disarmament, but the agencies for defence would not be discarded till the need for defence was removed. He favored the introduction of volunteer military training. TARIFF REVISION.

Referring to tariff revision the Presient said the privileges of the American market were offered too cheaply to the foreign producer. None valuing American prosperity and the maintenance of standard wages and living could sympathise with the argument' that the easy entry and flood of imports would cheapen the cost of living. It was more likely to destroy the capacity to buy. He urged the immediate enactment of an emergency tariff, declaring that American agricultural interests were menaced. This tariff should be followed by more mature measures, the revision to be based on the policv of protection, which would resist selfishness.

President Harding denounced the stain of barbaric lynching, which should be wiped from the banners of a free and orderly democracy. —Reuter Service.