AMERICAN ISOLATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 23 December 1922, Page 9

AMERICAN ISOLATION

LIKE 1A TO END SHORTLY The fact that the United States lias refrained from participation m all recent international, financial, and economic conferences does not necessarily mean that this country will continue indefinitely to pursue a course of aloofness (states a special correspondent in the Christian Science Monitor). On the contrary, the indications are that the present* American Administration will be pleased to join in any combined move as soon as the European nations reach a satisfactory basis of adjustment among themselves. , „ ... . Fail ires of the trench and British Premiers to reach any agreement at the recent conference in London, has revived discussion of the subject, and has added to the conviction which is growing in some quarters hero that the only hope for a solution of the problems oi German reparations and Allied debts lies in a world conference, as comprehensive in scope as the Washington Conference for the Limitation of Armament and the consideration of 1 acific and Ear Eastern problems. If such a conference were to have any chance of success, experts agree, the United States would have, to be represented. Indeed, many officials in closest touch with the situation in Europe believe nothing could be accomplished unless tin* United States took the initiative and submitted definite, concrete proposals in much the same mannci <ts Mr Hughes took the Washington Conference in hand. MANY OBSTACLES PUT FORTH Many considerations are operating, however, to discourage President. Harding from calling such a conference at tliß present time ,ulthough there is apparenllv little doubt as to his power to call it if he desires or of the authority of the Debt Funding Commission to deal with the problems before it in a general conference rather than by separate negotiations, as matters are now being handled. First among these considerations _is the disturbed domestic situation, including two gigantic strikes and important legislation pending before Congress. Furthermore, the sentiment of the country at present is decidedly against anything savouring of a concession in the matter of foreign indebtedness, leaders believe. If any proposal by the United States for the general settlement were to meet with favour, they assert, it would necessarily involve considerable sacrifice on the part of the world’s greatest creditor, ust as the Hughes naval plan involved the greatest sacrifice on the part of the United States. The temper of the American people, it is believed, is a present against any such sacrifice.

FAIL TO REALISE HELPLESSNESS

Another and perhaps the most important consideration operating to discourage the calling of such a conference hv the United States is the fact that the European nations themselves apparently have not yet come to a fnU realisation of their helplessness. Ihey apparently are still not entirely convinced of the futility of their present methods in dealing with the situation. Until Allied statesmen and the people whom they represent come to a full conviction that they cannot solve their difficulties by present methods of procedure, observers here believe it would be a waste of time for this Government to attempt to make constructive those most competent to judge are confident the present deadlock between France and Great Britain will be broken, at, least temporarily. The main object of British policy, American experts point out, has been to bring about such a restoration ol the balance of power on the European Continent as would permit her to resume her pre-war role as arbiter between opposing Continental combinations. With Kussia more or less outside the lamily of natious and with Germany prostrate, Franco lias enjoyed a dominating military positiob, which observers here are convinced, has been distasteful to Great Britain. Hence the persistent propaganda against the so-called French militarism and the equally persistent attempt on the part of Mr Lloyd George to force an easing up on Germany.

WOULD LOOSEN FRENCH GRASP

An attempt also is made to explain by this manner of reasoning Great Bntain’a eagerness for the restoration of Russia. Such a restoration would carry with it the revival of Russian military power, which would operate to loosen the French Military grasp on Europe and the economic rehabilitation of Rusma would bring about trade revival necessary to save the British economic situation . , , In all these efforts, British diplomacy chiefly because of the dogged perseverance of the French in their determination to exact staggering indemnities from Germany and their unwavering military policy of keeping a great army ready to enforce the dictates of their Government.

There remains, however, many important questions involving dashes of British and French interests,_ any of which might offer the basis for a “trade.” Among these are the Near East, the Tangier question, and the ever-present problem of the oil fields of the Caucasus, which Great Britain wants, and the coal of the Ruhr, which France covets.