(To THE Hems or Tao eterscurean
Stn.—Here, as in most other lands, both the policy of the Government and the attitude of the Press reflect the ambi- tions of the business men. German activities, too, are quite powerful, as well as certain Irish movements. Our merchants would like to supply all the belligerents, whereas the enemies of your Empire are obviously at work to handicap and hurt British interest& Bat, as you know, the vast bulk of the people of the United States is an overwhelmingly in sympathy with the cause of the Allies that a Teutouiu or Turkish victory meets with small favour. There is, as its Italy, a Mash between the Government and the hearts of the people. To many of us it is hateful to think that our statesmen may further the efforts of the Alliance. We have beard Germane, flushed with a sense of their widely advertised superiority, boldly declare that—taking the conquest of England for granted—it is America's turn next in their world- conqueat. Nothing would be sweeter to Potsdam than war between the two great Anglo-Saxon Powers. But even the American Anarchists to-day are for the Allies—even the Anarchists! Technicalities and the greed of corporations, the lure of gold, should not defeat the hopes, the dearest interests and blood-ties of this nation. Great Britain and France are fighting America's battles. Therefore, we should bravely put up with the inconveniences and losses caused by the blockade of the common enemy. I heard the same argu- ment voiced by Dutch merchants last Ootober in Rotterdam. No political neutrality shall bottle up our feelings: the Allies have our prayers ; why, then, should our cotton, our copper, and our breadstuff!' go to Bremen and Hamburg P Without a drop of our blood being shed, we are witnessing the great struggle between Autocracy and Democracy. A temporary tax is being levied bore to make up for certain losses, and we must face other hardships. Hardships P Not if one has stood amongst the refugees of Belgium and seen the cities of Europe overflowing with wounded men and widowed women.
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