ANGLO-AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP
[To the Editor of the Sracrxron.]
SIR,--I have read with interest Mr. A. G. Gardiner's article on 0 Anglo-American Friendship " in the October number of Foreign Affairs. Knowing your interest in the subject, I would respectfully suggest that you read Mr. John Erskine's article in the October Century Magazine, entitled " Centurion..' It will be pleasant reading undoubtedly to you and all other friends of the United States.
The feeling over the debt question is only natural ; but ive must leave the solution to time, as Mr. Erskine suggests. For the present we are sending the money so collected and that represented by our balance of trade back where probably it it most needed in the shape of foreign loans or credits.
Many Americans dislike the taunt that we failed to accept the Treaty of Versailles because it included the American idea of a League of Nations. We would rather have it said that it was President Wilson's idea and incorporated in the Treaty by his insistence. Put in another way, it was the contribution
an American President who had been repudiated -by over a majority at an election where he had asked especially or a vote of confidence and had agreed to abide by the result larva it might be.
Our English friends do not seem to know (as they should) hat the rejection of the Treaty by the U.S. Senate was the ork of President Wilson himself. The vote stood for accept- nee 57, against 89 ; necessary two-thirds affirmative vote 64, The affirmation vote was composed of 84 Republicans and 3 Democrats ; the negation of 15 Republican and 24 Demo- rats. If the 'members of President Wilson's own party had oted in the same proportion as the Republicans did, the reaty would have been carried and the United States would o.day be a member State of the League.
President Wilson's advice to Democratic senators to ote against ratification is clearly shown in his letter of ovember 19th to Senator Hitchcock.
Of course, the reason for the attitude of the President was
he Senate reservations on the League. But these would have n accepted by the Nations : Lord Grey said so at the time, ad for so saying was refused admittance to the White House. The only material reservation was in Art. 10. But the gue accepted Switzerland with the same reservation.
I have tried to make the point that the responsibility for the 'lilted States' refusal to ratify was President Wilson's.—I am,
it, &c., A. N. CONNETT. The University Club, Fifth Avenue and Fifty fourth Street. September 22nd, 1926.
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