The Washington herald., 1917-05-06

r,.nx puisunderstandinss which persist
sd n, London even after our break with
Germany have been cleared away. The
suspicion, which as month went by be-
came certainty IN many minds, that
American talk about ideals and human
ity was all humous, and that American
interest In the war was strictly limited
10 the amount of money she could make
out Of 1t, died hard.
Britons Realise Attitude.
No harm can be done now by plain
speaktng about the bitterness that ex-.
isted here at one time. 1t was impossible
for Englishmen, as for Frenchmen, suf-
ferinx the agonies and privations OF the
most horrible OF conflicts. to appreciate
the attitude Of neutrality adopted by
Washfngton. In q series of articles In a
London weekly. which / commenced. be-
fore the United States declared war, in
an attempt TO help clear up the existing
m feeling, remarked: Much has been
written about the necessity for better
British propaganda In America. but to
the writer the need for American propa-
randa In Britain seems even more press
ing" and / summarized the view voiced
here by embittered Anglo-Americans
and naturally adopted by many British
ers, as follows:
America dishonored her signature to
The Hague conventions by doing moth
ing when they were violated; has
worked feverishly coming gold out of
the heart-blood OF Europe. while
and humanity; has ignored unheard of
atrocities. protesting only when the
British blockade cut off her lucrative
trade with Germany: did not move
when scores of her women and chill
dren were brutally murdered on the
seas-and now. at the last minute, is
coming In against Germany, too late
to do any real lighting. but In time
to pose as having settled the war; and
coming In for no other reason than be-
cause the submarine blockade Of west
ern Europe must be broken or her
own export trade crippled"
Revision of Criticism.
In view Of this attitude. the danger
persisted that II the United States had
gone to war on scheme OF limited
liability and declined to take any fur
ther part than helping to run down
ships. the ill-feeling between America
and western Europe would have out
lasted the war. Such q way of war
making could have been construed
here as q mere crusade for more dol
lars, which would now to New York II
the submarine arm was broken and
the trade routes made safe again for
munition ships.
Presideat Wilson and Congress, by
not only declaring war but by prompt
ly throwing billion upon billion into the
conflict and preparing to 60 TO whatever
lengths may Be necessary to insure
the defeat of the Prussian autocracy.
have killed this suspicion in the minds
Of ali sober Britons. What this fact
may mean for the future IL incalcula-
bls The policy Of armed neutrality
naturally met with sneers. but the
scoffers and maleontents have been
completely won over by the deluge of
cablegrams from the United States
dealing with war preparations.
Unexpected Loans and Interest.
Two things above all have impress
ed British opinion. The United States
was expected. II 1t came into the war.
to fight the submarines and make
munitions and build ships, but almost
no one, excepting the few who knew
America, thought that the American
people would eithersra raise an army for
Service In Europe. or provide enormous
financial credits for the allies upon
terms far below the market value of
money on this side Perhaps Il is thu
purchase OF three billion dollarx
worth Of allied securities on . basis
of SI-3 per cent interest that has
most astounded and stupined those
who envisaged the United States as q
souiless Aggregation OF money-grub-
bors