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

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 December 1945, Page 4

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

this season of the year, public interest in foreign affairs is almost nil, but officials are kept busy in negotiations, and they will make decisions which may have lasting effect on the future of those people who, to-day, are frankly not interested in much outside the ChristmasNew Year holidays, reserving their studies for Ellerslie more than, say, Siam. They may note that U.S.A, has raised objections to British demands on Siam, but raising objections is nothing new where the big Powers are concerned. They all- do it, and for the most part amicable understanding and compromise is contrived. U.S.A.’s fuller entry into international affairs must be looked for now that she has jettisoned the isolation policy, and it is not to be expected that her attitude will always be welcome or well-founded. Her own mixed population must be taken into consideration, remembering that each of these national blocs has large voting power, which can be used to influence Congressmen, and the Administration. I) or instance, U.S.A, views regarding Palestine settlement are shaped largely on the fact that there are many voting Jews in U.S.A., and few Arabs. It will take time for U.S.A, to settle down to her new responsibilities, and, meanwhile she will be open to Press and other attacks, "which should not be overrated. U.S.A’s main differences, at present, are with Russia, but Britain, France, China and other land’s must expect to be lectured occasionally by Administration members and others seeking to impress newspaper representatives and other callers.

Britain is being rebuked because of her demands on Siam, but she has ieally shown great moderation in this matter. U.S.A, was never at war with Siam, and is not directly concerned. Siam declared war on Britain in 1942, and collaborated freely with the Japanese. In itself, this was sufficient to justify Britain taking strong measures when victory came her way, but she has been far from harsh. This is admitted by the Siamese Prime Minister, and there is, therefore, little for the U.S.A, to get excited about. Regarding the supply of free rice, official quarters in London confirm that the Siam Government have made" an offer of rice for assisting territories which are in grevious need of that staple food, large stocks of which Siam has been able to accumulate during the Japanese occupation. It must be agreed that the Pacific campaign was mainly American-conducted and financed, and this fact gives her some right to influence Far Eastern affairs, but this intervention must, not become domination. U.S.A, is a comparative novice in conducting international leadership, and will learn by the method of trial and error how to obtain the best results. She will find that other nations are sensitive to what they regard as any intrusion on thensovereignty, and may not always accept a claim that U.S.A, has none but the highest motives. Some will also be tempted to"suggest that the U.S.A, set her own house in order before reforming the outside world. U.S.A, has many internal matters about which other nations are critical, notably, the treatment of Negroes, divorce laws, and graft in commerce and administration. No intelligent person questions that the Americans arc a. great people, with a wonderful record, but their zeal for others’ uplift should be blended with a sense of proportion if the desired results are to be obtained.