How strange it was to be in London last week
and to realise that the public (stunned as they were by our naval losses) seemed unaware that two decisive events had occurred. The fact that the United States have entered the war against all our enemies means in all certainty that Germany cannot win. The fact that Congress has almost in the first hour voted for the creation of an American expeditionary force means that Germany is certain to be beaten. It may be that for the next eight months we shall suffer bitterly ; but when that grim period is past the road to victory stretches clear ahead. The British public did not realise the import of these great events. There was no jubilation, nor did the Stars and Stripes float from our public buildings. Twelve months from now, when we look back upon that amazing • week, we shall say that Sunday, December 7th, of this year marked the end of all the Axis hopes. I trust that our American associates have not been offended by our temporary absence of mind. The B.B.C. were the first to recover their sense of pro- portion and their " salute to America " on Saturday night was a reminder of what our cause has gained these days in spirit and in power. They quoted the " American Letter " of Archibald MacLeish which I have already sought to bring to the notice of readers of The Spectator. "America," writes MacLeish, " is a great word . . . a shining thing in the mind." It is a word which will strike fear in Germany, a deep, corroding fear.
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