U.S.A. Post War

A book by the Vice-President of the United States would be of interest whatever its subject, and this collection of addresses by Mr. Henry Wallace repays reading. He deals generally with post-war problems as they concern the U.S.A., and it is gratifying to find such a progressive outlook in a man of high rank in that country. Mr. Wallace's basic assumption is that international co-operation, coupled with full employment and production, is essential to world peace. One chapter consists of an attack on isolationism in its new forms, and again and again he points out the futility of the tariff walls which prevented the debtor nations paying in goods in the years between the wars. America can help the rehabilitation of the rest of the world through her industrial capacity, but at the same time she must accept foreign goods as payment in return. Only thus can she hope to maintain her own production.

Mr. Wallace has issued a grave warning on the subject of the change over from war to peace. Unless full employment can be maintained, there is little hope for the future. "The one criterion by which we should judge all fiscal, monetary and taxation policies is whether they bring about an increased balanced production of useful goods." He has been called an idealist. He dreams of a world where man can live in health and peace. I wish more of our statesmen had that at the back of their minds. He sees in the technological advances of today the opportunity for comfort and plenty for the whole world. He is a realist, if he appreciates that possibility. Where he is perhaps idealistic, is in his belief that these things can be carried out by private enterprise, supported by a benevolent government. In his own country it will be a hard fight, as I think he half realises, for he expresses his hatred of trusts and cartels. Mr. Wallace has recently gone to China as President Roosevelt's personal envoy.

—J.M.Z.

(Our copy per courtesy of Modern Books Ltd.)

Since this was written, Mr. Wallace has been rejected as Democrat nominee for Vice-President. It seems a pity that such a far-seeing and liberal thinker should have been turned down by his party at a time when the future of the world hangs on the post-war policy of the United States.

—J.M.Z.