BUSINESS AND THE WAR. [To THE EDITOR Or THE "SPECTATOR " ]
Sin,—In the September 30th Outlook, a respectable American review, in an article entitled "The Story of the War," by Arthur Bullard, the following passage occurs :— "But it is to the interest of English business to continue the war as long as possible. Compared with the other combatants, Great Britain is risking very few of her men, and she is at least as well able to bear the financial strain. Every day that war gives her Fleet excuse to harry the German merchant marine is fine for her commerce—and business is business."
This seems to us, on this side of the Atlantic, so grotesquely fallacious that in ordinary circumstances we might let it pass with a smile. But it may not appear so to our American friends, and at the present moment, when statements, how- ever erroneous, are apt to be credited in unexpected quarters, it would be unfortunate, I think, not to contradict this one.
May I suggest, then, that you should take an early opportunity of commenting, with all the force of which you are capable, on the absurd suggestion that it is to the interest of "English business " to continue the war P—I am, Sir, &c., [The writer in the Outlook is clearly a very badly informed critic. He is not likely, however, to lead astray any but very foolish people in America. Our trade has necessarily suffered heavily, and it is no consolation on the economic side, though it is on the political, to know that the Germans have suffered infinitely worse. If one of his biggest customers is made a bankrupt, a shopkeeper does not regard it as an economic success.—En. Spectatorl
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