Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1923. AMERICAN POLICY.

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 December 1923, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1923. AMERICAN POLICY.

The American Presidential, election next year already looms large on the United States’ political horizon, and all Parties arc actively preparing for the contest. The prospects of the Republicans, now in office, and the Democrats,

seem to be about equal, thus neither side is sparing any opportunity to appeal to popular prejudices. This fact must be remembered when reflection is given to American, decisions or proposals, and judging by President Coolidge’s speech at the opening of Congress, Ihc expediency of the hour is to be honoured above really wide views. Politically, President Coolidge has hitherto been a nonentity, and there is little in his speech to suggest that he is likely ever to be a force in American oi’ international affairs. He may have been playing for safety, acting on the advice of the Republican Party heads, but the outside world will, be disappointed with his first Congressional address. Home affairs are the Americans’ own business, and no concern of others, but Ihe references to foreign affairs in the speech were mainly about what America insists on getting from impoverished Europe, rather than how she proposes to help the lands stricken through fighting what was, from the beginning, partly the American cause. The 'President supports his predecessor’s World Court proposal, but even this concession is to be subject to “reservations.” America has the legal right Io expect io lie paid her war debts, but whether such payment •- ' “ -- -d

of Avar debts owed to the United States is £1,885,244,762, and large could be long debated. The total is practicable, or likely to occur, as this sum looks, it is really more, owing to the depreciated currencies of Ihe debtor nations. Moreover, unpaid interest is annually and enormously increasing. Such debts were incurred in Avar time mainly for goods and supplies charged at “war” prices, and can be repaid mainly in goods noAv much lower in value. Such imports have also to face a high American tariff. The more Americans reflect on the debt OAved to them, the more they must realise the absurdity of expecting payment, unless radical re-adjustments are made. Britain is doing her best to meet her Ally’s demands, and France hopes to make a start Avhen Germany enables her to, but the other debtor nations keep quiet about the matter. The issue Avill have to be faced boldly by the American people, if a source of international friction is to be eradicated. President Coolidge had an opportunity to prove he Avas Avorthy to be the leader of his countrymen ; instead he chose the easier Avay and Avas a folloAver of those

Avhose interest is concentrated on internal administrative posts, rather than the ideals about Avhich the Americans pride themselves. All that Europe can hope for iioav is that popular sentiment Avill veer round to a policy more .in keeping Avith nationally proclaimed standards, and for this many prominent Americans, including leading financiers, are striving. At present, hoAvever, it looks as if they have a long long trail ahead of them before national conversion Avill be sufficiently complete.