31 MARCH 1917, Page 2

However, comments of this sort are perhaps better avoided. The

American Government are masters of their own actions, and U. is not for us to advise them when and how they should move. H they prefer the gradual development of a state of hostilities to a clean-cut declaration of war, that is their business, not ours, and it would be a great impertinence 'for any of the Allies to lecture them on the subject. In the same way, it is not our business, if a state of war is recognized by the United States, to offer advice as to how they should co-operate in the work of fighting Germany. Still, sa friends of America, we may perhaps be permitted to say that we shall regret it if the force of circumstances prevents the United States from sending a certain number of troops to represent them at the Western front.