New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-29
THE BRITISH SPIRIT
A Tribute from an American Who
Spent Last Year in England.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: As a stanch admirer of Englishmen
and things English have read with peculiar
interest the varied outpourings of the returned
travellers who have undertaken to tell US
how the people over there are behaving
under the present crisis Generally the note
"a one of deep appreciation, but now and then
have observed some commentator trying to
disparage or 10 damn with faint praise. All
the best evidence goes to, show, Of course,
that British bearing is to-day what it has
always been in similar circumstance
splendidly gallant. But while few doubters
persist, it is worth while. think, to cite
every refutation of their doubts that comes
to hand. I beg, therefore, that you will find
room in your columns for the following
passages from letter just received.
1t was written Immediately on his return
70 this country, in the Rotterdam, last Mon
day, by a friend of mine who was in France
when the war broke out and has ever since
been living there and in England chiefly
in England He has sent me much from both
countries that has thrilled me with a sense
of the glorious courage with which their
peoples are struggling to sweep back the
filth and dishonor of the German beast; but
like best of all this last impression, writ
ten after long months, during which he has
had time to get the whole thing into the
right perspective, to see clearly and steadily.
1t is after the experience that really teaches,
after real reflection, that my friend writes
thus:
ut was painful leaving there now, when
everybody we knew, all the nation, is suf-
fering untold anxieties, incredible woe, max
ing sacrifices of blood and treasure, enduring
all things in silent, magnificent patience, with
unfinching courage. To come over here
and be safe, to get out of the stress and
strain, seemed TO me TO be like sneaking
away from friends in distress, almost cow
ardly. How kind our friends all we're
bidding US a CHEEKY goodby and a happy
home coming-and the formula so often and
So earnestly repeated, Come to us again,
in happier days
81 would not have foregone the experience
Of the past year; would not have missed
the opportunity of seeing England in her
time of trouble; nothing could make up to
me the loss of that great privilege | do
not exaggerate when | say that the year in
Great Britain was the most intensely inter
esting and inspiring year of my life since
that year so long ago when the Civil War
was ended and cur country remained undi
vided 1t was wonderful TO witness the en-
nobling of England, the splendid fashion in
which that nation consecrated itself TO the
maintenance of all the grand and great ideals
that have made her mighty and worthy Of
praise in her long past. And, oh! how | en-
WED those who were privileged to work for
her-and | could do nothing but sit and hold
my breath and look with streaming eyes
fists cenched and pray for her success.
J "Our last night but one in London was the
night Of the Zeppelin raid. wouldn't have
missed having that experience. There were
seven women in my cousins house during
the twenty-five minutes OF the bomb dropping
and air-gun firing, and many Of the reports
made the windows rattle. But none Of the
seven exhibited the slightest trace OF fear or
nervousness. | do not exaggerate. And yet
they were real women, and | imagine any or
all OF them would have climbed up onto the
piano If a mouse had entered the room. And
il was so all over London"
And these are the people whose subjuga-
ton is regarded as a possible thing by the
butchers of Belgium and the murderers of
the Lusitania's women and children! May
I suggest an explanation Of the besotted fury
Of the Germans against the British, and Of
their desire 10 turn the British islands, like
Belgium, into pit Of agony and shame
! Il is the explanation given years ago by a
wise British publicist, writing on Bismarck's
hatred. Bismarck, he said. felt his inferi-
GRITTY to an English gentleman and it made
him writhe That is what is the matter with
the Germans.
They hate the British because every time
they come in contact with member OF the
race they feel their inferiority in everything
that spells breeding, taste, the social de-