Nelson Evening Mail MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 1927 THE BRITISH EMPIRE AND THE U.S.A.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 3 January 1927, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 1927 THE BRITISH EMPIRE AND THE U.S.A.

THE outspoken declaration of Mr Bruce, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia, in favour of "the closest co-operation between the United States and the British Empire," will be received with approval in his own country and throughout the- Empire, but what will be its reception in the Doited States? "If Britain and America will work together," said Mr Bruce, "there is hope for mankind. If they do not, nothing mankind can devise, will .possibly succeed."

The world-innUOT.ee.'' of t)he United States waa at its height possibly in the year 1319, when, the Great War being finished, President Woodrow Wilson went to Paris to formulate the terms of peace. In France, England, and Italy he was received with acclamations which were almost without precedent. ■ At the Peace' Conference his voice was paramount. The Versailles Treaty was largely the work of his hands, and the Covenant of the League of Nations, which forms part of that Treaty, emanated from his brain, and was imposed by the strength' of his hand upon the Allies and Associated Powers.

But those days seem far away now. The rejection of the Versailles Treaty and the Covenant of the League by the Congress of the U.S.A. struck a blow at America's influence in the world, from, which the Great Republic has not yet recovered. True, she waa still possessed of World-wide influence when she formulated the Washington Treaty>,of partial limitation of naval armaments, but today, when she proposes an extension of the principle underlying that Treaty, so as to indue\j cruisers and lesser craft, she can find none tot listen to her. Steadily through the last eeven years her influence in the world's councils has shrunk, till to-day she stands isolated and» disliked. This is not merely our opinion. It is that of Professor H. E. Barnes, of Smith College, U.S.A., Lecturer on the History of Civilisation, who recently published an important article, entitled, "Hatred of America By Her Former Allies."

We do not propose to inquire into The basic causes underlying the decline of tho United States' influence with the civilised nations. The point we wish, to emphasise is that those causes may make it difficult for the British Commonwealth of Nations to co-operate closely with the United States. The establishment "of something resembling a union of the English-speak-ing nations is" devoutly to be wished. But is it possible of accomplishment while the condition of American politics as such that -the Republic • refuses to attend the forthcoming International Economic Conference, because such questions as "the American tariff, immigration restriction, and a possible modification, or even cancellation of the war-debts" might be brought up for discussion? It is hard to see how a nation, which thus, holds itself aloof from the European nations, is going to become a useful partner of the British Commonwealth of Nations in tho greatwork of maintaining peace on earth and goodwill among men. The sentiments enunciated by Mr Bruce are beautiful and worthy of earnest consideration, but it would seem that, before they can be realised, it is first of all necessary that the people and politicians of tho United States shall abandon their attitude of aloofness, and exhibit some real interest in the world's welfare and in the preservation of the civilisation which is endangered as a result of the Great War.