Letters to the Editor
BRITISH-AMERICAN RELATIONS
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,----Will you permit an American visitor to express high appreciation of the altogether sane and timely letter on Anglo-Saxon Patriotism signed by George E. G. Catlin in the Spectator of December 10th ? This calm and acute analysis presents a wholesome contrast to much that at present appears in public discussion.
Recently I heard a prominent Liberal, speaking on Peace, Disarmament, and Security, state in sub-acid tones " The Americans do not love us." Love seems hardly the word to apply to the relationship of sturdy nations. But I believe that my own respectful regard for British tradition and institutions and my grateful recognition of Great Britain's work in establishing and developing and transmitting the structure of our liberties, are shared by the majority of educated Americans of native stock.
This year has brought a long-desired opportunity--viz., that of making pilgrimage to England, the home of those institutions and laws, of those liberties and democratic rights, which have made life in America a privilege. And I am sure that the number of those in America of like mind with myself grows steadily year by year.
As our culture and tradition are the same, so in broad essentials are our interests ; and, therefore, in the long run our policies will conspire to strengthen an Atlantic or Anglo- American Entente. Let us all guard against confusing superficial differences and difficulties with antagonism of spirit or conflict of interests.
Mr. Catlin's attitude with his emphasis on allegiance to a common tradition is one that will commend itself to thoughtful folk on either side of the Atlantic. He is certainly correct in. speaking of a " great body of American opinion " as " anti- militaristic."
Let me add that on our side of the ocean we are increasingly realizing that the Atlantic joins rather than divides ; that there are common cultural and spiritual interests which will inevitably advance the community of life and of policy which should be the natural consequence of common tradition—and, fundamentally, of common race.:---I am, Sir, &c.,
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