Greymouth Evening Star. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1945. U.S.A. POLICY.

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 September 1945, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1945. U.S.A. POLICY.

REACTION to the co-operation that existed between the Allies during the war has set in, and temporarily, at least, fault-finding and bickering are replacing appreciation and agreement. This may be seen in Anglo-U.S.A. relations, to mention I the most important international sphered and it is to be hoped that no serious con-! sequences will arise. There have always been those in the U.S.A, who are antiBritish. Their influence is less than their noise, but. occasionally, these groups are used by others, fishing in troubled waters. With some Americans, the national achievements during the Avar have gone to their heads, and what other nations contributed to the common cause is belittled, but this phase should pass. Postwar problems will require “taking,” as did the Avar sacrifices, and will be a test of national stamina.

Any U.S.A, ill-temper with those abroad is more than equalled by discord at home. President. Truman is boav in his stride, and Adin in istraifive dismissals and resignation are frequent. There are few of the “Roosevelt Brigade” left in office, and the policy of the late President is being departed from, in notable ways. The relations between Washington and Geneial MacArthur, never very cordial, will be worse folloAving the open quarrel concerning the latter’s pronouncement about the size of the force required for the occupation of Japan. The General xvas given a direct snub by the Minister, and the incident will not make easier the task of the soldier in keeping the Japanese in subjection. II is true that the laying down of a policy is the right of the Administration, but guidance must be accepted from the men actually doing the work. The Japanese will’be the chief gainers by any dispute between U.S.A. Ministers and Servicemen. The controversy is mostly for the Americans, although British Empire rights are also involved, and there will be much British sympathy with General MacArthur in his difficulties in enforcing the surrender terms.

Negotiations concerning lencl-lease, credits, loans and tariff's are taking place between U.S.A, and Britain at the time when the former is having some degree of “hang-over’’ after the war orgy oE expenditure'. The necessity to recover mote normal financial health is influencing American policy, domestic and foreign. Bess is heard nowadays of lhe Atlantic Charter principles, and commercial concessions are distinctly unpopular, whatever the ideals furthered. The change-over from war production to peace industries is resulting in huge numbers being unemployed for the time being. Those who earned largely and spent in proportion during the recent hectic years, now find themselves in an unenviable position. Servicemen’s rehabilitation is proving a more difficult task than expected, and there is increasing unwillingness to maintain large occupation armies abroad. The circumstances give an opportunity to President Truman to prove his calibre as leader. Meanwhile, U.S.A, difficulties should not be overlooked by those justly critical of U.S.A, policy inwards her chief friend and ally.