14 APRIL 1917, Page 2

These, however, are details. It is America's d r ag we want,

and we say frankly that we arc not going to be deterred from saying so by any ridiculous punctilio that it is not our business, or that America will resent such unwarranted interference—in fine, that even if we do, like so many millions of Englishmen, cherish in our hearts the warmest feeling for America, and an eager desire that our troops and hers should serve shoulder to shoulder, we ought to conceal that feeling as a kind of guilty secret. We do not intend to encourage in any sort of way the amazing belief that what the Americans particularly like to see in the faces of their friends is the stony stare of a silent and frigid politeness. That no doubt is an attitude which John Bull delights in taking whenever he sees a friend and feels shy—the events are well-nigh inseparable— but we may warn our fellow-countrymen that, though it may be an attitude which we are all inclined to exhibit " with the best intentions," it is one very easily mistaken for arrogance or indiffer- ence by those who do not understand the peculiarities of the British temperament.