The Daily News. TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1921. AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ENTENTE.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 June 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1921. AN ANGLO-AMERICAN ENTENTE.

The latest development connected with the American attitude towards the problem of world peace indicates that President Harding has accurately sensed the trend of opinion which exists throughout the British Empire, in favor of an alliance with America as being the best and most effective means for .safeguarding the peace of the world. The Press mfessage from New York of the 14th inst. states that the Washington correspondent of the Globe “learns on good authority that President Harding is considering an Anglo-American Entente as the safest means of protecting America and promoting the world’s peace. A London cable, on the following day, however, intimates that the Times, in a leader, discusses President Harding’s “despatch,” so it seems there are good grounds for considering that diplomatic machinery ,has been set in motion to launch a proposal which should certainly be welcomed by all British people, and probably by the majority of the other nations. In this lofty ideal of linking together the two great English-speaking democracies for the purpose of creating an effectual barrier against new wars, there is far more than meets the eye of the casual observer of international affairs. It was a matter of some surprise that the United States so readily accepted the renewal of the Anglo-Japanese Treaty, but in the light of the proposed AngloAmerican Entente the trend of American policy becomes clear, and its wisdom apparent. Assuming this new Entente proposal materialises the position would be somewhat as follows:—Britain and America are pledged to protect France from being attacked; Britain and Japan are allied for certain purposes of defensive protection so that an Entente between America and Britain would become the coping stone of a barrier against warfare that would defy all attempts against the peace of the world. As the Times aptly observes, such an Entente would accord with the views held by all the best minds in the Empire as being the great saving ideal. It would be a practical and logical means for consummating the great achievement of the Allies and America in the late war, and secure the objects for the attainment of which such colossal sacrifices were made. Besides which it would help to solve America’s problem with regard to the Peace Treaty, for it will not matter whether America makes a

separate peace with Germany or not, and though it would be desirable that the United States should join the League of Nations under a revised covenant, yet even that politic step can be omitted without detriment to the work and purpose of the League if Britain and America are linked together in the great work if forming an effective barrier against new wars. Whatever difficulties may arise over the acceptance of the proposal by either or both of the political parties in America should be capable of adjustment, and the terms of the agreement can, without marring its effectiveness, be so framed as not to infringe on American susceptibilities or be antagonistic to the real spirit of the Monroe doctrine. The salient point that Americans have to bear in mind is the security that such an Entente will give to America. Moreover, it will be a powerful lever in bringing about worldwide disarmament and giving an impulse to - trade, commerce and industrial expansion by diverting to those peaceful avenues a large portion of the -money, labor and materials now wasted on destructive weapons. In this connection it is encouraging to note that, according to a recent cable sent by Baron Uehida to the New York World, “Japan is only too anxious to co-operate. with other countries in the achievement of the noble aim of relieving the nations from the heavy burden of armaments, and establishing a stable peace throughout the world.” No time could be more auspicious than the present for taking practical steps to ensure peace, hence it may be claimed that an Anglo-American Entente should be thrice welcomed as the one sure means of relieving the nations of the burden of armaments, and inaugurating a new era of peace. Whether this much desired boon will, materialise depends on whether the good sense and wisdom of America’s legislators will out-weigh their prejudices. Theirs will be the responsibility, and it is to be hoped they will rise to the occasion in a manner worthy of so great a nation.