Gratitude and Politics
Britain and the United States. By H. G. Nicholas. (Chatto and Windus, 21s.) THERE is an American joke about the wealthy refugee garment manufacturer who refuses to save a family friend from bankruptcy. When the friend reminds him of all that he did in the 1930s to save him from Hitlerism, the little refugee replies: 'Yes. But what have you done for me lately?' This question sums up the prob- lem at the heart of Anglo-American relations today. We all know about the importance of Victoria's Navy in buttressing the Monroe Doctrine, and of the Battle of Britain in giving time for the arsenal of democracy to get up steam. But to Americans of Jack Kennedy's age or younger, all this is ancient history.
Unfortunately, H. G. Nicholas never comes to grips with the central problem of Anglo- American relations today—what does Britain have to give the alliance? The opening chapter on the military and economic power of the two countries gives rise to hope. But this analysis is doubly faulted. First, the Commonwealth is introduced as an 'x factor: as if Americans would view this as much more important than the magic ingredient in a toothpaste or detergent. Secondly, no account is taken of the enormous demands of modern weapons technology. Mr. Nicholas even suggests that the smaller size of Britain is an asset, though it means that the nation is incapable of having a truly independent deterrent.
By implication, it is suggested that the two- way telephone line between Washington and Westminster primarily carries influence from west to east. It is a bit surprising that a British writer should give so few examples of British contributions to America, except for a few shies at conventional targets such as the China Lobby and the late Mr. Dulles. Elsewhere, in his succinct and tough-minded study of the United Nations, Mr. Nicholas has shown considerable skill in illuminating what is often befogged. But perhaps, as he has many good friends and sympathies on both sides of the Atlantic, he finds it difficult to speak bluntly on this topic. As Dean Acheson found out, one is not always praised for com- menting on the Emperor's state of undress.
When differences of opinion arise, and this account makes clear that they do, America as well as Britain gains something from having a
second line of approach, in case the first one fails. In the Middle East, however, it seems thai it is usually the British line which fails. In Asia, Britain has persisted in maintaining recognition of Communist China—but has very little to show for this. But such differences remain rare, especially on the big issues of world affairs. Mr. Nicholas has failed to prove what, if anything, America stands to gain from the separate exis- tence of the British Foreign Office, in the world of the 1960s.
RICHARD ROSE
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