LORD CROMER. AND PRESIDENT WILSON.
[To THE EDITOR OP TUE "SPECTATOR."]
11111,—" On the other side of the Atlantic, we see the destinies of a great democracy at a critical moment of the world's fate being led by a poli- tician who is apparently blind to the fact that it will profit little a nation if it gains some temporary advantages of a material nature, and at the game time loses its own soul. It may reasonably be conjectured that President Wilson is preparing a period of shame and remorse for Ameri- tan posterity." The foregoing kind words are culled from Lord Cromer's excellent review& in your issue of July 8th, of Mr. Belloe's recent essay on Lafayette. While one can dismiss this sort of thing as twaddle when it appears in the columns of the halfpenny Press, it is difficult to ignore it when it is set forth as the mature and sober judgment of a publicist of Lord Cromer's standing—especially when he goes out of his way to drag it in, ungracefully, by its ears. The sentiment expressed is intel- ligible, but scarcely intelligent. As a matter of fact, I doubt that it represents Lord Cromer's real views, and I also doubt that he could be persuaded to stand up in his place and solemnly swear that he believes any such thing. He knows that the President is not a politician in the sense inferred. He knows that, if the President thought a declaratioa of war on Germany necessary, no consideration of " material advan- tages " would be entertained for a minute. He knows that such a declaration of war would be the one thing in the world that would assure the President's re-election. And he must be very well aware that our—America's—diplomacy has accomplished all that our arms, under the circumstances, could accomplish, and more. Is it really necessary to suggest to a man of Lord Cromer's understanding that Woodrow Wilson has been actuated throughout by motives of highest conscien- tiousness ? Is it not obvious that America has sustained losses that overbalance her profits in some lines of industry ? Is not the palpable despair of the Republican Party sufficient evidence that the President's cause has the approval of a large majority of our people ? Granting this, as he must, will Lord Cromer assert the logical conclusion that we are a race of moral and physical cowards, mercenary to the core and willing to sell our birthright for a mesa of nothing at all ? There are some Americans buried in front of Ypres (I helped to bury them) who would not have cared to hear any Englishman say so.—I am, Sir, &c.,
A. D. SMITE, jun.
(86287, 24th Canadian Battalion).
Fairfield Hospital, Broadstairs, Kent.
[We do not suppose that Lord Cromer will consider it fruitful of good results to argue with our correspondent. Neither of them is likely to convert the other. Of one thing we are, however, sure. Lord Cromer will feel, as we felt before when Mr. Smith. jun., took up the cudgels against the Spectator in defence of the President, that this gallant Knight-Errant of the Trenches who is shedding his blood for us and a good cause deserves our unstinted praise and respect for standing so loyally by his President when he thinks him in the right. Once more we salute Private A. D. Smith, jun., and wish him God- speed.—ED. Spectator.]
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