AGGRESSION IN THE BALTIC.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 July 1940, Page 6

AGGRESSION IN THE BALTIC.

2\_T the stage to which it has developed, American foreign policy is excellent in principle and intention, lint does not go far. For instance, in what must be regarded as a pronouncement made with full authority on behalf of the American Government, the Assistant Secretary oi State, Air Sumnei Welles, has denounced the Soviet occupation of the Baltic, countries, declaring that: The devious processes under which the independence and integrity of the three Baltic States are to be deliberately annihilated by one of their more powerful neighbours have been rapidly drawing to a conclusion. The policy of the United States is universally known. The American peoples are opposed to predatory activities, no matter whether they are carried out by force or by the threat of force. Air Welles also said that the United States would continue to recognise the Legations of the three Baltic States as the representatives of sovereign governments at present under duress. Whether this policy, well as it is justified in principle, will serve any practical purpose seems at present rather doubtful. If the declared policy of the United States is Io attain more 1 than academic, importance, it would appear that it must be developed into direct and positive co-operation with other nations holding the same opinions and desirous of maintaining their independence ami living at peace. A rather more hopeful opportunity, ol making practical progress in that direction than is to be perceived al present in may offer itself at the Pan-American ('onl’erenee at Havana. There the United States is proposing machinery for an inter-American mandate over European possessions in the Western Hemisphere, Io become elieclivo in the event 01, the possessions being menaced with change ol sovereignly. I hesc proposals plainly point to positive action and, with due saltguards, may have a good deal Io commend them. Obviously, too, they might bring the United Stales into direct opposition to, or even conflict with. European aggressors. Effective action st he taken against totalitarian aggression in the Western Hemisphere, however, if the Monroe Doctrine is not Io be | thrown on the diplomatic scrap heap. It very materially allecis the position and outlook, too. that apart I rom any threat to European possessions in the \\ estern Hemisphere, totalitarian aggression has more Ilian lifted its head in some of the Latin American republics.