FOREIGN POLICY OF AMERICA.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17634, 11 December 1922, Page 7

FOREIGN POLICY OF AMERICA.

I—.1 —. NO SHIRKING OF INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS. ANNOTJNCEMENT BY PRESIDENT HABDTNG. (By Cable—Preae Association--Coyrrirht.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received December 10th, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, December 8. In hia message to Congress, presumably answering M. Clemenceau, President Harding in effect declared that America had not shirked and would no 7 shirk hor international obligations or permit the infringement of American rights anywhere, but the Government would not engage in treaties, or armed alliances, or any commitment where either a council or an assembly of leagued nations might chart America's course. President Harding promised a broadminded use of the flexible provisions of the tariff, stating that the United States did not contemplate cosnmtrfi.il aloofness, or any other aloofness, which was contrary to the beet American traditions and the loftiest human purposes. He hoped the world would not get the impression that because America was attending to her domestic problems she was unsympathetic or unmindful of her international duty. "We would," he said, "rejoice to help to rehabilitate currency systems and facilitate all commerce which docs not drag us to the very level of those we seek to uplift." AN ASSOCIATION OF NATIONS. HOPE OP AN ATLANTIC PACT. (Received December 10th, 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, December 8. The Washington correspondent of the "New York Times" learns that President Harding, in announcing that other international agreements similar to the Four Power Pacifio Treaty can be negotiated, believes he has opened the way for the Association of Nations he advocated daring his election oampaign. It is understood the President is hopeful that the Pacific Treaty can be duplicated by agreement among the Atlantic nations. Mr Harding has not thought of taking immediate action, but hopes to get such a favourable reaction that negotiations can eventually be opened. (Received December 10th, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, December H. M. Clemenceau, in his speech at Philadelphia, quoted a parage lr.»n President Harding's message to Congress which, owing to the length of the President's speech, was not included in the early summaries. Tlio passage reads: "The Four Power Pact which abolishes every prospect of war in the Pacific haa brought ft now confidence in maintains peace. 1 can well believe it can bo made a model for like assurance!, where/ar in the world any common interests are concerned. We have expressed the hostility of the American people to 'super-government' or to any commitment where either a council or an assembly of leagued Powers may chart our course." M. Clemenceau declared he was greatly comforted by this declaration, implying that suck a pact in regard to the Atlantic would assure the world s>eaoe he was seeking. CLEMENCEAU'S MISSION. REPLACING THE LEAGUE OP NATIONS. (Received December 10th, 6.5 p.m.) NEW YORK. December 8. M. Clemenoeau, in his speech at Philadelphia, said he proposed opening negotiations at Washington for an agreement between the United States ond other nations to take the place of th« League of Nations, fluch as President Harding hinted at in hia message to Congress. M. Clemenceau declared hj» did not believe in the League of Nations as a means of preventing war. (Received December 10th, 11.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, December 9. M. Clemenceau, in his last formal speech at Philadelphia, before departing for Franco next week, declared he believed that two parts of his mission to America had been fully accomplished, namely, to convince America that France waß not militaristic, and that she would pay her debt to the United States. The third part was nearing accomplishment, namely, to induce too United States again to join Britain and Fiance in a settlement of the problem* arising from the war.