The Daily News. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1921. ASSOCIATIONS OF NATIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 December 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1921. ASSOCIATIONS OF NATIONS.

Already there exists a League of Nations charged with the duty of adjusting international differences and, if possible, preventing warfare. America, by the decision of its Senate, declined to subscribe to this League, on the ground that it was contrary to the policy of the United States to interfere in sueh matters or be party to a movement that might involve armed support. At the same time America was forced to realise that she could not take up an isolated position because she is just as much interested in international matters as any other country. The outcome of this attitude was the Conference now sitting at Washington, ostensibly designated to discuss and arrive at decisions as to disarmament, to which other problems have been added, but really to make the Conference a stepping stone to an Association of Nations wherein America could participate and wield her influence without incurring any responsibility. President Harding has taken up this Association scheme with much zest, probably because it cannot offend American susceptibilities, while it magnifies American importance as a Great Power. It is interesting to note that in a recent reference to this Association of Nations’ scheme, President Harding said the world would be greatly disappointed if some arrangement looking towards such an Association was not the outcome of the Conference. He was also careful to emphasise that it would not be designed to foster any rivalry or be an undermining agency as regards the League of Nations, but would be merely putting expression to the aspirations of the United States and finding a way of accomplishment thereto. There is a decided, and probably intentional, vagueness about the pronouncement that cannot fail to be patent to all observers. The question naturally arises: What are American aspirations? If they are genuinely directed to the maintenance of international peace and amity there can be no disguising the fact that mere conventions, resolutions and diplomatic correspondence will fail to be of service in preventing outbreaks of hostilities. There is but one reliable safeguard, and that the League of Nations furnishes by its covenant to join forces if and when occasion so requires, and that is exactly what America seems determined to avoid. This view in no way militates against the aims of the present Conference, which, as far as they go, are most praiseworthy. The crucial point is that, although President Harding proclaims that the League of Nations is not involved in any way by the Association of Nations’ scheme, should that, project materialise there would be two separate international agencies at work for one and the saint purpose, the Association being limited to the “suaviter in modo, and the League charged with the ‘ ( fortiter in re” if conciliation fails. Admittedly the object of both is identical, but the vital safeguard of the League covenant denotes the parting of the ways. Apparently the Association is to be a kind of Conciliation Court, with no pow§r to enforce decisions, while the League savors of the Arbitration Court and its ample authority. O. the two, there can be no question as to which should be preferred. Yet another national combine scheme has been evolved by Mr. Winston Churchill, though not for settling differences, but for adequately meeting the present economic situation. Curiously enough, although America practically holds the key for solving this problem, she is not mentioned as a participant. What Mr. Churchill advocates is a friendly association between Britain, France and Germany for the rehabilitation of Europe, on the ground that nothing less will adequately restore tile financial and industrial position which was so comnletelv disorganised and thrown out of .s'oar hv the war. There is something

ironical in advocating that Britain and France should be expect'd to join hands .with Germany with the object of enabling commodities to be purchased from America on favorable terms. That is to say that as Germany brought about the war, with its aftermath of adverse currency exchange, she is to do her part in helping her enemies to readjust the economical position as it was before hostilities commenced. The scheme proposed is to affect the Dominions as an outlet for Britain’s energy and thus conduce to the greater strengthening of the Empire. What is at the back of Mr. Churchill’s mind it is impossible to conjecture, but it is one of those visionary inspirations that probably no British statesman, other than Mr. Churchill, would ever conceive or make known. It seems as if the forming of international associations is becoming an epidemic. They may be harmless, but the serious nature of the financial situation demands practical and not visionary steps for its solution.