The Star. MONDAY, JULY 4 1921. THE UNITED STATES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 4 July 1921, Page 4

The Star.

MONDAY, JULY 4 1921. THE UNITED STATES.

I ' ' ' I Delivered every evening ,by 6 o'clock in Howera, Mana/a, Normanby. Olcaiawn, Rttiam,' 34an fc 'afcoki, lUpon/*, Awateoa, Opunake, Otakeho, Manutahi, Alton, Hur leyville, Patea, Waverley.

' . ' : —♦— To-day is the, .birthday of the United States of America. On July 4, 1773, the, unanimous yofe .of Congress enabled thirteen States to unite in forming the foundation of the'great Republic, which now shares with the British Empire the leading place among the democratic nations of the world. The foundation of the United States was an event the importance of which in those days was probably not recognised,.and the ultimate .prosperity and remarkable development of the States stand as a lasting tribute to the men who then directed the Republic's affairs. Favoured with unlimited resources, free from the fetters of centuries, the virile people1 went forward with zeal and enthusiasm upon their mission—the /building up of a huge nation whose aim was liberty and an example to the Old World. The result is seen in the "huge cities, and the enormous industries which have a very important place in the world to-day, while the influence of United States opinion in international affairs is secondi only to ,that of the British Empire. In the days when the Unifed States were formed international relationships were far different from what they are at the present time. It was then, and for many decides after, possible for the United States to remain a nation apar-fc; to

work out their own destiny in their own way. The wonderful progress in science has brought- the nations very much closer together, and the oceans which 145 years ago were effective harriers and ■safeguards against a foreign foe or against those who might foe inclined to interfere with matters -which were not their concern have, been completely conquered, Europe is cnly a few ilays' sail from America; services make possible instantaneous communication between nations widely separated geographically; great ships ?arry eifligrants <by the thousand- and! in every/direction we. find that science has revolutionised conditions. The people of the United States therefore bave to take a new view oi the world, and we find that, there' is no little doubt and uncertainty among tlte Republic's leaders as; to the procedure they should adopt. With the1 eyes of the world' upon them and the d«sir« to uphold the best traditions of their country, the nation's leaders find i^ extremely difficult to carry onfr their task, and they >are realising that th« Bffect of any decision which they may make is not" confined to the United States alone. They cannot, however much as they may desire it, cling as in olden times to their proud lndepemfence; they must abandon their "glorious isolation" ; and they must give assistance and enlightenment to a suffering world. The great problems facing Europe as the result of the war cannot be solved without the aid of- the United States. Such quesfions as those dealing with disarmament, international trade, and the protective government of the weaker nations, are of as Vital interest to the United States as they are. to the rest of the world. Fortunately, the leaders of the great Republic are realising their responsibilies more and more, and we believe that very great efforts are 'being made to bring about the closest co-operation between th«* British Empire and the United States, so that the world may be directed into the most democratic systems of progress and happiness by the' English-speaking peoples. To-day's anniversary falls in one of the most important years in the history ,of the United State's-, and it is to be hoped that the nation -will live up *o its noblest conceptions of freedom 'and will endeavour to help the "Mother Country," as President Harding recently terme^i Britain, to lead the world out of the past with its terrible wars into the new era of peace and goodwill. The United States and the British Empire ar« both guided by the same principle; their opportunity and responsibilities ■were .:eTer greater, but they pannoi delay for much longer formtilating their plari^ for helping the ■worlq.