Nelson Evening Mail MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1928 PRESIDENT COOLIDGE'S DISTURBING POLICIES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 6 February 1928, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1928 PRESIDENT COOLIDGE'S DISTURBING POLICIES

RECENTLY Mr. 11. Wickham Steed, editor of "The Review of Reviews," and formerly editor of "The Times," wrote an article which purported to deal with the tendencies to world-peace. In reality it indicated with considerable clarity the factors which tend to disturb that peace, though it is only right to state that the writer propounded what he believed to be an effective panacea. That panacea was a declaration on the part of the United States against aggressive war and in support of nations which are banded together under the League of Nations to prevent aggressive war.

While the Monroe Doctrine, which precludes America's interference in European affairs, seems to debar her from adopting the suggested course, there is every reason for thinking that the great majority of Americans, as well as the gicat majority of British subjects, are. hcariily opposed to aggressive war. The British Empire, indeed, is committed in ptinciple to oppose such aggression, under the lerms of the Covenant of the League of Notions. That League was created primarily for the purpose of preventing fiermnny from entertaining thoughts of revenge against France, but,

now that she is a member of the League, Aw is committed to the principles of peace, as (ire all other nations which are members of the League. Indeed,' tho only nations which, standing ottlsido the League, are at all likely to resort to aggressive war are Russia and Turkey, .li.pan. equally with Britain, is committed to the principles of peace. Therefore, while President Coolidge's recent jit tempt to arrange with France a mutual renunciation of war can be readily appreciated and easily understood, his pro-

posals for an abnormal increase of the United States' Navy seem inexplicable^

There is no doubt that. America's ■conflicting policies are not.'conducive to ♦ lie tranquillity of tlio world. It is known that, tlio Japanese are alarmed by them. Though the British Government and the Governments of the various States which comprise the British Commonwealth of Nations preserve an admirable attitude of quietude, as a matter of fact there is throughout tho self-governing States of the Empire a feeling of growing apprehension as to what the United States' imperialism may grow into.

Europe., as a whole (says Mr Steed), judges America harshly. Europe does not, realise how strong was tho wave of sincere idealism that brought, the United States into the Great War, nor does Europe yet understand sufficiently how cogent wero the reasons that led tho American Government not to incur commitments ' that might well have become entangling. . . . Yet tho dilemma remains. It is a fundamental truth that without the. moral

support, of the United States there can he no certainly of world peace. . . . Wo believe that last statement to be absolutely correct. It is simply because that moral support, appears to have been withdrawn by President Coolidge's Government, that the prevailing feeling of unrest has been created. When President. Coolidge's term of office has expired, no doubt the world will be informed what actually wero tho objects of his foreign policy; At present all that tho world knows is .that, whereas under his two immediate predecessors the United States were regarded everywhere with confidence and trust, to-day there is abroad in tho world a" growing apprehension that the great Republic is entering upon a career of imperialism which financially and commercially may bring it into relations with other nations that may lead to anything hut harmony and peace. Mr Steed's exhortation that the American Government should openly proclaim itself on the side of universal peace and opposed to aggressive war is timely, and is made in the best interests of a good understanding between the United States and the rest of the world. But such a declaration, unless accompanied by a repudiation of the extraordinary naval expansion which tho President's recent "message" foreshadowed, would be nugatory, barren, and meaningless. Neither is such a declaration to be ex* pected from "Silent Cal," as his admirers are wont to call the President. There is no reason to think that the great bulk of the American people are imperialisticfllly inclined. It remains for them io express their views of the President's conflicting policies. When they have spoken through Congress, the world will know.where America stands in regard to the world's desire for peace. The world will await their decision with intense interest.