New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-21
WHAT HAMPERS ENGLAND
a Decadent Feudalism Prevails at
the Expense of National Efficiency.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: As a native OF England / nav.
watched with interest the correspondents
in your columns which deals with the re-
luctance of Englishmen TO seek the honor
and duty Of citizenship IN the United
States Of America. / have enjoyed the
latter privilege for the last eighteen years
and count myself fortunate TO be reck-
oned WORTHY OF such a distinction. Why
permanent residents here who were born
in the British Islands should avoid eiu-
zenship in the United States is somewhat
OF "A mystery 90 me.
We are all more or less familiar VIII
the excellent qualities or the bngNsh
character. They are a valuable asset
anywhere. and I believe Americans are
prepared 20 give them an adequate and
cheerful recognition. But the Enslishmah
who says that he does not care TO Obtain
citizenship here because OF the distressing
condition OF other candidates should re-
member the slums OF the chief clues Of
Britain. the dense ignorance and stupid
ty Of the rural provinces aud the aolee'
Great Britain who are always on, OF o.
ycnd the border line OF chronic poverty!
Surely any man who keeps his allegiance
with that country cannot afford TO CIT
icise the character Of some who seek LOT
citizenship in the United states. Mr.. Bri-
erly. describing his fellow-countryman IN
an English weekly. speaks OF nm a
follows: His Continental neighoors see
the British tourist. wondrodsly Gao
speaking no language but his cNn' ana
with the measrest acquaintance WIN
that looking down upon those torelsn'
ers. giving himself airs Of inefabls "-
periority." In Canada many such sen
semen are Extensively patronizng ana
equally unpopular
This unfortunate attitude is not due u
the Englishmans inferlority IN natuIS'
gifts. FOR he has as good stuff in him A.
the world contains. but too many Of 'he
men and women Of my native land have
been hampered by social traditions WhV"
are based upon decadent feudahsh'
Unlike Scotland. England has TOO !oHs
persisted in separating learning rom az
mocracy. In the north country the CON-
mon schools are allied with the unlNf'
sites. where the sons OF peasants are re-
ceiving an ample mental equipment
South OF the Tweed however, culture ma
hitherto been the possession OF CERTAIN
classes only The aristocracy has strive"
as long as ii could 10 preserve It's STATUS
at the expense of national efficiency ah'
wellbeing. The result is that the Ems
lishman has no such advantages either
OF birth OF training. as he imaslneS' anu
this is patent when he enters into AM
international competitions. HIS prev"
dices obscure his reasoning faculties "h"'
he is thoroughly disilluslonized ana US
covers that il he would maintain pr'or''
he must cherish a frmer and more pray
teal belief i'm equality. We all owe ."
incalculable debt 10 England. to her sens
OF Justice and her constitutional laNiu'
ness; vet certain democratic Ideals mus
have freer play. and before they can ".
tain that such anomalies as St"''
church. hereditary peeraee, iahu NV
nopoly. needless restitution ana pies"
sions OF birth will have TO be cons'de'A''
reduced.
AN ANGLo-AMERICAN'
Brooklyn. May To- 1913.