Manawatu Evening Standard. MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1936. U.S.A. ISOLATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 263, 5 October 1936, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1936. U.S.A. ISOLATION.

It is a well-grounded belief in the United States that America should not enter into any compact with Europe, but tliat the United States should isolate itself from European politics. The Republicans and Democrats both subscribe to this policy, but it is, apparently, an elastic policy, for it can on occasions be stretched to suit the predilections and conveniences of the country. America is isolated only in fancy, for no nation, especially a great Power, can place itself in a water-tight compartment. A great Power must play its part in world affairs or it will soon cease to be great. It is, of course, obvious that interference in the internal affairs of other countries would not be tolerated, but there are many other directions in which the United States could help Europe and help herself. The calibre of American diplomacy is not as high as that of the British, but then it must be confessed that Britain has had a longer experience, and has in fact, largely helped in laying down diplomatic rules, regulations, and etiquette.

But to return to the United States and its policy of isolation. The late President Wilson tried his utmost to keep America out of the Great War, but eventually he had to bow to circumstances, and there is no doubt that the moral effect on the enemy countries as well as on the Allies was very great. President Wilson was responsible for the formation of the League of Nations, but the Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate turned down the project. The United States, however, was not averse to taking a prominent part in the Kellogg Briand Pact; America would take no part in the Bank for International Settlement, but was willing to take part -in the World Economic Conference. America signed the London Naval Pact, so that isolation is a mere theory.

But the best break of the isolation idea has been the latest agreement —the pact to stabilise the sterling, franc and dollar. This can be .regarded as the greatest achievement in world economics in history, and it has come at the psychological mo meat. It is so great an achievement that we believe it ushers in a new era of prosperity and peace for the world. Three rich, powerful countries in combination can and must influence the economics of the future. As wellinformed people see it, it is a definite and strong effort to get the nations back to sound economics. During the years of the depression, in its dank atmosphere, theorists and cranks flourished to the undoing of the world’s economics. But ali that will be

cleaned up presently. In the meantime we can acknowledge that America has done the world a real service in standing in with England and France. England and America should combine to preserve the peace in the Pacific, which is in the interests of both nations.