New Britain herald., 1917-07-05
|BALFOUR PROUD OF AMERICA'S SUCCESS
Regrets England Of 18th Century
 Failed in Judgment
ADMITS STING EXISTS
General Robertson Says Cooperation of England and United States Is Essential to Prosecution of War America Gives Fresh Hope.


 London, July 5.-speaking last night at the banquet of the American society, the culninating event of the celebration in London of America 8 Independence Day, Arthur J. Balfour, foreign affairs minister, said:
 'The whole world has. for the one hundred and forty-one years which have elapsed since the declaration of independence, watched with admira- tion and witnessed the greatest ex- pansion in population, wealth, power and material and spiritual resources in the history of any nation. We of the British nation regard this eX- pansion with pride born of the fact that the thirteen colonies were British and that it was the British wars with Spain, Holland and France which gave the thirteen colonies the oppor- Unity to develop into a great cour- try without Europea interference.
 I've cannot look back on the sep aration of England and the United States as one of our political suc- cesses. No doubt something could be said for those on our side who fought for unity-this is the cause to which Americans themselves sacrifed rivers of blood.
 "The mistake we made was in sup posing unity possible without com mon freedom. All I can say in ex- cuse of my forefathers is that, utterly defective as our colonial policy was 1t was far ahead of that of any other country.
 We have just been celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of Canadian union. It took us a long time to learn that if you want to make an empire of the great Saxon race you must found it on terms of absolutely equality.
 Tt is impossible to dwell upon how many lives would have been saved in 1776 if those who preceded us could have seen the true course of political wisdom and the people of hundred millions and infinite gain if there could be no sting and no soreness of defeat or victory between us. But if I rightly read the signs of the times sestzsar- -uerspective is now now. being rec oognized. 3f' v '~> S@sa'
 'I do not grudge the glories of Washington and his soldiers l have no tears for British defeats which ended in the triumph of the Ameri- can republic. My only regret is that memory had carried any trace of bit terness. Surely there is non on our side. In true perspective the past should not interfere with the con- tinuity of history and the considera- tions binding us together, which cen tury by century, must bind us closer. We are, united in a great struggle against power which seeks to destroy the root wherefrom we derive all our strength. Are we not bound thus for ever and shall not our descendants say that the greatest result of the world war was bringing together in a common purpose and understand l. ing the sundered branch of English speaking race?
 General Sir William Robertson, chief of the imperial staff. in the course of a brief address. said:
 ..This is not mere war of armies. This is a war of nations. Every sec tion of the nation has a part to play. It is essential that England and Amer ica work in full cooperation and without friction. I doubt whether the British nation has done its whole duty in this respect. The essential things are: First, the nation must give clear orders what to do and snf- f1cient information to enable it to carry out the orders; second. the or ders must be obeyed whether con genial or not; third, there must be mutual confidence between the classes and the industrial population as in the army and the navy.
 "America's entry brings us fresh hone. fresh reserves of strength and power. Germany says that Amer1ca will not count. It is our bellef that America will count for great deal, and I shall be greatly surprised It America fails
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