BRITAIN AND THE PARTY STRUGGLE IN AMERICA. [To THE Emma
or ma "Serormaa.") Sns,—There is, undoubtedly, a rising tide of anti-English senti- ment in the United States, which made it possible to secure the passage in the Senate a the resolution offered by the Roman Catholics Irish-American Senator Walsh, expressing sympathy with "the aspirations of the Irish people for a Government of its own choice."
The Spectator in its last issue (p. 721) has very ably set forth the fundamental reason for the growth of this sentiment. The course of events at Versailles has tended to place the British nation in the appearance of antagonism to the Republican Party, which, as the result of the elections last November, is now in control of both Houses of Congress. Moreover, this is the party to which the principal supporters of the Allies in America have belonged since the war began—the party of Roosevelt, of Root, of Dr. Butler, of Choate, of Lodge.
There are minor causes of friction which could be removed without injury to any one. Among them are the British cen- soring of the mails and telegrams from and to America on the alleged ground that it is necessary for the blockade of Germany, but which is believed in America to be for a purpose hostile to American trade; and the offensive police supervision of all Americans who are either temporarily or permanently resident in England, with its "identity-books," its compulsory visits to police-stations (sometimes at long distances and involving great delays), to which they willingly submitted during active warfare, but which is now regarded by them and their friends and relations in America as unnecessary and evidence of unfriendliness.
Cordial relations between the two countries will be estab- lished and maintained, not by phrases in public speeches, but by eats betokening trust and confidence, and certainly by avoiding even the appearance of siding with or against either of the political parties in America now engaged in the pre- liminary stages of the contest for the Presidency which will culminate in November, 1920, in which the Trish are certain to try to involve the English people.—I am, Sir, &c.,
S. IL H.
Previous page
