BRITISH SPEAKERS IN AMERICA
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sin,—British residents in America have been much annoyed for some time past by the foolish speeches made on this side by their countrymen. These speeches have led people to suppose that conditions in England are extremely bad, and that most of the population are living on the " dole."
The result is that a large number of Americans and others believe that the British Empire will soon be a" thing of the past, if it is not already completely done for. English people all know and understand the peculiarities of some of their countrymen who dearly love a " grouse " or a grievance. According to this type of mentality, Great Britain has been going steadily to the dogs ever since the Norman Conquest. In England allowances are made ; out here this sort of thing is listened to with more respect than it deserves.
Reconstruction after a world war is a long and arduous task. This view is evidently not taken by the pessimist who comes here and airs views that possibly he would not dare to express at home. Licking the boots of Americans by telling them they are superior to those-in the old country may be a pet form of amusement with some people, but it really does not help the great cause of Anglo-American friendship : first, because it is untrue,- and secondly, because it is undignified. Canadians in particular have remarked on this extraordinary trait in British speechmakers, and the sooner it is stopped the better
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