It is all very well to say that such opinions
are based upon no
reasonable foundation and that they can therefore be dismissed transitory. I admit that the tides of American opinion ebb an flow according to no ascertainable principle, unless it be the suc of the moon. I admit also that the mass-bombing of Germany an the ardent vigour which we are now showing may do much check the criticisms which are being made. Yet the fact remain that American policy is influenced, or at least hampered an delayed, by these tides of unreasoned emotion, and that to ignor them is to ignore a potent political force. The visit of a man Mr. Harold Butler's experience and good sense may do much to pu our presentation of our own case in America upon a new and mo scientific basis. I understand that steps are also being taken this side to disabuse our public of the screen conception of Americ• life and to introduce into our schools and universities a sounder saner realisation of what the citizens of the United States right] describe as "the American Idea." All this is to the good. But th• hard fact remains that without Anglo-American co-operation afte the war there can be small hope of real world pacification, and tha such co-operation will have to be founded, not only upon th• desires and knowledge of the two administrations, but upon a trillin acceptance of co-operation by the peoples themselves. When on considers the great wedge of prejudice, ignorance and vested interest which will intervene to hamper that co-operation, one is justified, suggest, in contending that the task will be delicate indeed.
* * * *
Previous page
