New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-01
LORD ABERDEEN ON COLONEL HARVEY
DISTINGUISHED Englhman Doubts the Editor Of The North
American Review Has d Clear Account of the
Prevailing British Sentiment

tre thousand take place amoag British sub
Jects and American visitors. the first un-
avoidable condition is an atmosphere Of
friendly understanding? If hosts and guests
were not conscious Of mutual good will and a
sort Of racial family bond, elementary cour-
tcsy would forbid the topic
Then. will YOU consider moment: Is k
likely that we should invite Americans 20
our homes II there were no ties o. friendship
between US
Then again. take the ma. he .treet. in
gland lie reads ,hc ue. eapers. He
reads that American producer~ and manu-
lecturers are making fortunes out Of their
war trade with the Allies. But is he likely
to forget that both France and England
would now be in "a sorry way if it were not
FOR this war trade with America? And can
ne avoid pa! ing tribute of gratitude to the
American people when he reads Of the gen.
erous. unceasng help ;hcy are lending, with
ou- hope o. recompense. 20 2ll the sufferers
among all 'he allied nations?
NO. the English people are not and cannot
De other fhen friendly toward the American
people.
Colonel Harvey draws d distinction be
twecr the people and the Administration Of
the United States. On this point may have
no opinion. OF course, while / am receiving
the cordial courtesies of the country I am
telling you merely what know to be true in
England and have found TO be true here Let
me repeat: fundamentally. there is nothing
but friendship between the two peoples even
If there is little grumblinc on both sides.
Temporary discussions. q trife Of hot-head-
edncss o. an air of Indifference are usual
and human occurrences between brothers.
They are riDples on the surface.
Travelling through the States from coast
10 coast. | have met among all classes with
the most comforting response TO the friend
ship We Britishers bear you. noticed this
with particular satisfaction among the West
erncrs. whom We had been led 10 look upon
as rather pro-German. II was very graft
flying experience for one who believes as
firmly as ! do that the interests Of America
and Great Britain are bound together Nat
ura.ly cannot 20 into details in a few
spoken words, but beg you TO trust that
my belief on this point is based on solid
argument.
81 cannot give yOu definition of what is
meant nowadays by the freedom Of the
seas. But ] can assure you most soemnly
that not man in Great Britain, high or
low. has the least wish 20 encroach on the
rights of neutrals Our navalism is no kin
to miltarism know the two have beei
lkened by some among the American peo-
pie. All can ask now is that they postpone
their judgment until all the facts are clearly
unravelled out Of the great tangle.
Il viii not assert that in some instances
we have not erred. but whenever in the past
We have made mistakes, We have not been
slow 90 make due amends The case of the
Alabama, during the Civil War, proves that
"a hen England stands convicted OF error she
pays the penalty manfully. But of this I
am certain. and ! say II proudly. whatever
England may be found guilty Of when the
day of reckoning comes with peace restored.
hers will not have been irreparabe offences
she will not be called upon to pay one
farthing Of wehrgildi"
Whether it be our knowledge that no mill
tary necessity" could make the Allies shed
the blood Of non-combatants, women and
children. OF whether it be simply our blood
relationship with the people of Great Brit
ain that compels our sympathy for the
Allies I'm their fight against Prussianism. is
of no immediate moment. The fact is essen
;ial. And ! am happy to see that my own
desire for friendly relations between Great
Britain and America is by no means n lone
one in America, since one Of our most popu-
Lar publications prints on its front page, and
fears not for its circulation:
John Bullikins, my 10. John.
We've known each other long
I've sometimes thought you right, John.
And often thought you wrong
We've had our little tifs. John.
Yet. whether friend or foe.
I've nursed high regard for you,
John Bullikins, my jo.'