AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19197, 10 December 1925, Page 11

AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY.

MR. COOLIDGE EXPOUNDS. ARMIES OF THE POWERS. A MATTER FOR EUROPEANS. NAVIES OF FIRST IMPORTANCE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. —Copyright, A. and N.Z.-Reuter. WASHINGTON. Dec. 1. In his annual message to Congress the President, Mr. Calvin C'oolidge, said that although the Locarno agreements do not irt themselves, provide the economic rehabilitation which is necessary for the preservation of Europe, they diminish the need for great armaments by strengthen - ing the guaranties of peace. "If the energy which now goes into military effort is transferred to productive endeavour," said the President, "it will greatly assist economic progress. When these agreements are finally adopted they will provide guarantees of peace that will make the present reliance upon force in some parts of Europe very much less necessary. The Locarno Pact represents the success of the policy of leaving Europe to settle her own difficulties. A reduction in land armaments is peculiarly a>European problem and the United State will look with gratitude on any action that might make for a reduction in our own armaments. "As regards American participation ia a European conference to deal with thaft matter, I am of the opinipn that America would not care to attend if for any reason the meeting promised to prove futile. Limitation of Armaments. " It seems clear that the redaction or armies rather than navies is of the first importance to the world at -the present time. We shall look with great satisfaction upon that effort, and give it our approbation and encouragement. "If the reduction of armies can be settled we may easily consider a farther I reduction or limitation of naval armament, j For that purpose our country has constantly, through its Executive and repeated acts of Congress, indicated ita willingness to call such a conference under the sanction of Congress. "It would seem wise to taks part in any conference of the great Powers for a limitation of naval armaments as propored., upon such conditions as would hold a fair promise of it being, effective. "lie general policy of our country is for disarmament and we ought not to hesifcatt to adopt any practical: plan which might reasonably be expected to succeed. AtUude to World Court. er ß<?gardL"g the World Court we shall not find ouri 'lves bearing a disproportionate share of the world's burdens by our adherence, and we may as well remember that there is absolutely no escape for our country from bearing its share of the world's burdens. In any case wa shall do far better service to ourselves and others if we admit this and discharge our duties voluntarily, than if we deny it and are forced to meet ths same obligations unwillingly."

Mr. Coolidge outlined the legislative programme. It included, tax reduction, adherence to the World Court, a continued effort to strengthen: the aviation services, of the Shipping Board's powers, an increase in the President's authority to deal with coal strikes, and better facilities for the enforcement of prohibition.