Wairarapa Times-Age WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1938. AMERICA’S TURNING POINT.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 November 1938, Page 4

Wairarapa Times-Age WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1938. AMERICA’S TURNING POINT.

TOO much, no doubt, might, easily be built upon currentreports of the extent to which late events in Germany—particularly the anti-Jewish outrages —have- aroused public opinion in'the United States against the Nazi dictatorship and in favour of co-operation with Britain. ' So far as European affairs are concerned, the United States no doubt will continue to hold aloof from any immediate and active participation, however strongly her Government and people may express their disapproval of any policy like that now being pursued by Germany. It may be still in a vital sense true, however, that November 10, the “Nazi day of vengeance’’ against the Jews, has “superseded Munich as the turning point so far as the United States is concerned.”

It has to be considered that the Anglo-Ainerifea'n Trade Agreement just concluded is regarded in both countries as having a profound political and international significance. In the United States, particularly, it has been urged that the trade agreement negotiators were working upon a. foundation which was essential to the erection of a future 'structure of normal world relations. The hope has been expressed that the establishment of relatively unimpeded trade between as many nations as possible may eventually impel Germany, Italy, Japan and the other autarchical nations to consider whether they might not do better to join the co-operating group than to place their reliance on self-contained economics.

The,se developments of trade policy, in themselves influenced and coloured by political aims, must tend to strengthen the combined bonds of sympathy and interest in which lhe United States is already linked with the democracies as against the dictatorships. An American spokesman was quoted in one of yesterday’s cablegrams as .stating that: —

This hemisphere hopes that all countries may in time discovei that there is more safety in understanding than in arms. The peace of the Americas is not a peace of empire. It is a peace of co-op-eration. We are prepared to defend this position on any line necessary. Ultimately we hope that the entire world will agree with us and then disarmament will be possible. Until then we must hold our own strength. On this subject, fortunately, there is no difference of opinion from Canada to Cape Horn.

An even wider range, might fairly have been attributed to the prevalence of these beliefs. Certainly the countries of the British Empire as a whole are not. second to the United States and lhe Latin American republics with which she is consolid-/.. at.ing her relations in desiring to siee a peace o.i understanding established throughout the world.

A great, deal must, depend, upon the extent to which the statement, that the United States is prepared to defend its position is proved as time goes on to be justified. Much as she is declared to find herself in increasing sympathy with Britain there is obviously little enough chance of the United States taking any very active part in helping to curb aggression in Europe, if. for instance, Nazi Germany attacked Erance, the ruling aim of the United States, no doubt would be to remain neutral.

On this side of the world, however, affairs conceivably may take an entirely different course. The one nation in the Pacific engaged in aggression and apparently intent on further aggression is Japan, and it is "in dealing with Japan that the aims and ideals of the United Stales may be put decisively to the test.

It is of some interest and. concern to Britain and France that Japan is linked with Germany and Italy in the looselydefined Anti-Comintern Pact. All the signatories have denied that the pact constitutes an alliance, hili Germany and Italy have expressed sympathy with Japan in her undeclared war on China and Japan reciprocated by expressing hearty approval of Nazi efforts to win “self-determination” lor the Sudeten Germans. The. amount of favour with which Japan would regard similar efforts on behalf of the people of Korea, Alanchukuo, or the other areas she h.as invaded in China may easily be imagined.

The possibility has been, suggested that in the event of war breaking out in Europe, Japan might elect to make common cause with her associates in the Anti-Comintern Pact. The danger is not perhaps acute, since in adopting that policy Japan would cut off three-fourths of the import trade and much more than half of the export trade which is essential to her existence as an industrial nation. In addition, she .would deprive herself of her only means of obtaining essential munitions. The last-mentioned fact lias its own interest and significance. The United States is already engaged in controversy with Japan over the policy of the open door in China and looks with acute disfavour on Japan’s piratical invasion of that country. Any positive action the United States may take against Japanese aggression, if it be only in defence of the open door in China-, evidently will bring her into closer touch and understanding; with the British and oilier democracies which are al one with her in desiring to curb aggression and Io establish the world peace based on understanding’.