Evening star., 1932-05-22
NATIONALIST TONE
|SSEEN IN PARTIES
Foreign ENJOYS at Chicago
May Be Disappointed in
Foreign Policy.
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

In accordance with custom, ambas-
sadors and ministers of foreign states
represented at Washington will be in
vited as guests Of honor to attend 5ot.
the Republican and Democratic ma
tional conventions at Chicago in June.
Reserved seats on the platform, where
otherwise only party dignitaries are
placed, will be at the diplomatic en-
voys' disposal.
But If the emiSSaries Of European,
Asiatic, North and South American
and African countries expect to see the
ruling poliaical organizations of the
United States go through the motions
Of adopting new and more generous
policy toward abroad" disappoint-
ment will be their lot. Soundings in
competent quarters indicate that both
parties will register distinctly nation
alist notes, as far as foreign affairs
are concerned. America First" will be
the keynote sharply struck by Repub-
ncans and Democrats alike.
International Questions.
The international questions on which
the 1882 party platforms will touch
include debts (and possibly repara-
ttons), disarmament, tariffs, immigra-
ton, the gold standard and, though
nomlnaIly domestic issue, prohibi-
ton. The most ardent wet in America
has not a liver interest in the LIQUOR
question than countries like France,
Italy. Germany and Spain, all wine
producing nations, who crave the day
when the importation of light wines
will again be legal in the United States.
Voices may be raised at both the Re-
publican and Democratic conclaves in
favor Of revising, reducing or canceling
the war debts. Senator Borah's may
be heard on behalf of outright cancel
lation in exchange for outright cancel
lation of German reparations by Eu-
rope. But few other leaders in either
camp believe that the parties would
dream Of going to the country this year
on a cancellation program OF any kind.
It Is possible that both parties will in
dicate their views ON the debts by
omitting all reference to them In their
platforms. That would be notice to
Europe that Uncle Sam considers them
unbeatable. Americas unf1aggtng faith
in disarmament Is sure to be empha-
sized, with possible slaps at the failure
VI IIlc 1CuCfA OOtl4CICIlCCs
Court Approval Expected.
American adherence to the World
Court, under the safeguarding reserva-
tions adopted by the Senate, is expected
to be advocated by both the Republican
and Democratic platforms.
The Republicans will, 1t goes without
saying, reafirm their uncompromising
allegiance to the protective tariff, high
and undiluted, as typified by the Haw-
ley-Smoot law. The Democrats VIII
give the foreign ENJOYS at Chicago per-
haps their one and only thriu-a proc
lamation Of that party's intention to re-
wise the tariff downwards II and when
il obtains full power to do so at WASH
ington. Their position viii be practi-
cal reafirmation of the program recent
Iy vetoed by President Hoover.
The Democrats will contend that the
mounting tariff rates Of nearly all the
rest of the world, together with our
own. constitute q primary obstacle 20
the return of prosperity both here and
abroad. They will also renew the pro-
posal contained in their late congress
sional tariff bill, under which the Presi-
dent would initiate q movement for
an international economic conference
with a view to lowering excessive tarfn
duties and eliminating discriminatory
and unfair trade practices and other
economic barriers affecting interna-
tional trade; preventing retaliatory
tariff measures and economic wars ana
promoting fair, equal and friendly trade
and commercial relations between ma
tions."
No Change on Immigration.
Foreign countries suffering from the
effects of overpopulation and unem-
ployment, which expect any early let
down in the American immigration
bars, will derive little comfort from the
forthcoming American party platforms.
Both the elephant and the donkey viii
favor maintsining the existing embargo.
Despite rumblings about imminent or
eventual abandonment Of the gold
standard by the United States, the po-
litical parties are preparing to sigma
their loyalty to it. Sound money" by
which since the time immemorial the
American people have come to under
stand the gold standard, will be glori-
fed as the Republics indispensable
sheet anchor in times like these. The
party planks may be expected to decry
the evils of imitation, as represented by
such projects as the Goldsborough bill,
but Europe is to learn that the politi-
cal power wielders of this country are
as faithful to sound money" as to any
of the country's existing institutions.
The only concession in this field may
be party declarations recommending
the advisability Of an international sil-
yer conference.