A NEGOTIATED PEACE?

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23851, 30 December 1940, Page 6

A NEGOTIATED PEACE?

Advocacy in the United .Stales nf American mediation for a negotiated peace, to end the war that originated in Europe, is inconsistent with the principles of lite isolationist advocates. Such a move would he intervention, and if in rebuttal I hey declare that the war has now come to America they tacitly admit that isolation is, in llie.se modern times, an impracticable and foolish policy. A further difliculf.y facing these advocates for appeasement is (heir inability to plead representation of a numerically strong national body of opinion in favour of it. In so far as the presidential election last month gave an indication, it declared overwhelmingly against any attempt of this kind. Of the two leading candidates nominated by the great rival parties, the one committed to strong measures in support, of Britain's implacable fight was chosen, notwithstanding the established tradition against a third term. Quite as significant was

the decision of the Republican Party not to nominate a candidate of appeasement inclinations. Mr. 'W illkie's "key-note" speech, although critical of .Mr. Roosevelt's allegedly indiscreet precipitancy in condemning Hitler and all his works, made clear his own readiness to go as far as Mr. Roosevelt in assisting the Allies' campaign for complete victory. But, Mr. Willkie's opinion apart, his party was wholiv disinclined to select a nominee favourable to a negotiated peace. .Manifestly. then, for political parties are sensitive to the state of public feeling, a decisive majority of the people of the United States were convinced that a fight, to a victorious finish by Britain and her allies was the only thing worth consideration : a peace made on any other basis was scouted, and nothing has happened since to justify a request for it.