The Hawera Star. THURSDAY, JULY 3, 1924. UNITED STATES AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 3 July 1924, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

THURSDAY, JULY 3, 1924. UNITED STATES AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS.

Delivered every evening by 6 o’clock in Hawera, Manaia, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Opunake, ■ Otakeho Uanutabi, Alton, Barleyville, Pa tea, Waver ley, Mokoia, Whakamara, Ohangai, Meremere, Fraser Road, and Ararata. '

The long-drawn-out conference of the Democrats has been marked by keen discussions on several subjects, and there are sharp divisions of opinion among the delegates, which have led to lengthy sessions and slow progress. The most important feature of both the Republican and Democratic. Conventions is the apparent turn of the tide in America towards international problems. Since Dr. Wilson’s efforts to bring the United States in as a member of the League of Nations were so keenly opposed and finally defeated after a very strenuous campaign, the United States has been but an onlooker, quietly watching the nations of Europe attempting to find solutions for the numerous problems which arose out of the Avar. America lias refused to respond to the appeals to help, and she has consistently avoided any action that might lead to the entanglements which have often followed international agreements .and associations. The course adopted has been one of leaving Europe and her troubles alone, but America is finding that bad conditions in Europe have a reaction in the United States, and we believe that public opinion in America is steadily changing and it may even become a demand for the United States to join the League of Nations. The Democrats decision to include in their programme provision for a referendum on the question encourages that belief, and probably the Democrats anticipate that a poll would result in a majority in favour of joining the League. Those who have been in closest touch with the League of Nations and its work have frequently pointed out. that it cannot be fully successful unless America becomes a member and throws her influence against Avar. The League, handicapped as it has been by the abnormal conditions Avhieh haA’O prevailed during its lifetime, has done A’ery good Avork and has been used* on at least three occasions as an instrument for peace. When the CoA-enant Avas draAvn up at Patis, it Ava 3 hardly realised that

the task to be undertaken -was of air exceptionally difficult character. Many of the old landmarks had been swept away, and the new were by no means firmly established, so that probably its framers expected too much from it. Some of the nations refused to become members, while others who were members would not agree to have disputes referred to the League for decision. In spite of these facts the League has to its credit solutions of problems in the case of Albania, Memel, the Aaland Islands, Silesia, the economical and financial improvement of Austria, and it has also done an immense amount of work in connection with social problems in the international sphere. With these successes in mind the Christian Science Monitor (a well known American daily paper) wrote recently: “Two things appear to be certain. On the one hand, if the world is to avoid another world war and if steady progress is to be made toward world peace, all the nations must meet together regularly round a common table. Wars come from ignorance, fear, suspicion, and hatred in nations about one another. In the internatioanl sphere, as in every other sphere of society, the first preliminary to agreement, confidence, and peace is that people should meet together and talk tnings over. On the other hand it seems obvious that no rival international association has any chance of success. It is the League, very likely in a modified form, or nothing. What modifications are necessary in order to make it possible for all the nations of the earth to join the League it is too 'early yet to predict. But whatever they are they will almost certainly be in the direction of making it clear that membership in the League involves the legal obligation to take couusel with the rest of humanity about international problems and nothing more. Agreement among all nations to consult together is the first step toward the better conduct of humanity’s affairs, and the sooner it, can be taken the better for the peace of the world.” Such expressions as these hope that the time is coining when America will become a member of the League, and if so the dangers of war will be reduced considerably. Probably the campaign for the Presidency which will be in full swing shortly will reveal more clearly the feeling in the United States on the great c|iiest.ion of that country’s position in international affairs. British people hope that American sentiment will be in favour of joining with the Empire in its. efforts to reach solutions of the problems which arc dangerous and which, while they remain unsolved, may encourage warlike tendencies, if they do not actually lead to immediate conflict.