Premature Planning
Despite political pressure both in the United States and 11I Great Britain for a clearer definition of British war and peace aims, says an Associated Press message from Washingt°11' the American and British Governments appear to be in agree- ment that this would now be premature. Herein the to Governments show themselves wiser than some of their nice ardent citizens, particularly those who in this country et urging the Prime Minister to initiate discussions on an interl Anglo-American union. Two questions at once arise regardiog this—whether such a union is in itself desirable, which the are many reasons for doubting, in view of the ftmdamental differences is the constitutional practices and traditions of the two countries, and whether, assuming that it is, the best tray to get it is to start advocating it on this side of the Atlantic now. The American Government thinks, and the ritish Government, whose views were voiced by Mr. Attlee ten days ago, agrees, that unofficial thought and discussion can well be directed to the consideration of the post-war wodd, both domestic and international ; but no one who realises how relations between those States have evolved, as it were spontaneously, in the last twelve months, will feel much temptation to arrest that natural process and try to divert the stream of progress into a strait channel corresponding with his own preconceptions. If there were any general demand in America for an Anglo-American union—and of that there is no convincing evidence—it would at once engage earnest and sympathetic attention here. But the American Government at any rate encourages no such project, whether of British or of American authorship.
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