AMERICA'S ISOLATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23134, 5 September 1938, Page 8

AMERICA'S ISOLATION

In Mr. Kennedy the great American nation has a British Ambassador evidently eager to do what he can to promote international goodwill. His speech at Aberdeen gives further proof of this. He has not hesitated to refer to the international situation as one calling for thoughtful action by all peoples. Some arc involved in disputes, he says, while the rest are anxiously watching and doing what little they can for the avoidance of war; no avenue should be unexplored in those efforts. Except for the word "little," which is of doubtful application to some earnest enterprises of peace, his summary of the position, and his counsel, are apt. It is not easy, however, to overlook the fact that his own nation, through its fear of becoming entangled in political affairs on the other side of the world, has failed, time and again in recent years, to identify itself with international campaigns of peace. That this reluctance has exercised a weakening and hampering influence on these campaigns needs little proof. If the United States were more resolutely to explore this particular avenue, a discovery of inestimable value would be made. America has admittedly made a few noteworthy attempts to promote useful international action, but these are so comparatively rare that they make a poor showing beside the many opportunities neglected. It will be a great and notable day when Washington finally abandons its habitual thinking in hemispheres and come 3 fully into the circle of the human family.