The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-06-02
UNITED STATES AS
WESTERN GUARDIAN

New York. June 1.---"America must
accept the responsibility that goes with
the Monroe doctrine if the existence
o. the doctrine is to be recognized
abroad" said Major-General Sir Henry
w. Thornton, Great Britatn's repre-
eBtatire on the inter-allisd transpor-
ation council in Paris. in an interview
here yesterday at the offices of Gas
ton, Williams * W!ttemore. Sir Henry
is the guest Of George A. CASTOR.
Europe looks upon the United
States as the guardian of her interests
in the western hemisphere. and antici
pates that America in return will not
mingle unduly in continental ques-
tons. particularly those of domestic
concern" said Sir Henry. This view
of the Monroe Doctrine. which Is grad
uaily taking hold of thinking people
in England and on the continen
augurs well for a future better under
standing between the United States
and Europe"
For fifteen years Sir Henry was con-
nected with the Pennsylvania system,
and for three years prior TO his de-
parture for England he was general
superintendent Of the Long Island
railroad, In April of 1914 he went TO
England and became general manager
O. the Great Eastern Railway. His
work up to 1917 was purely of rail-
road nature. Early in 1917 ne was
asked b. The director-Eenera of move
ments and railways TO take up work in
inland transportation.
After telling of the great importance
ot transportation in modern warfare,
of the work of the inter-ailied trans
pcrtation council in Paris. and of the
increased burden put upon the trans
portation system by the entrance Of
the United States into the war, Sir
Henry paid tribute to the work of
Brigadier-GeneraI w. w. Atterbury.
head of the American, transport depart
msnt, and .o,Aitstptistants. He an
Cd the United States general TO the
position Of companion OF the Order of
the Bath. Sir Henry mentioned the
freedom of the seas and said he could
rever quite understand what 1t meant.
He remarked that Americas impress.
sion of the freedom Of the seas is that
ii il some mysterious agency used by
Great Britain to throttle sea competi-
ton. He denied that this impression
lad any basis in fact. and said that
Lngiand's ships had always been used
IN obtain fairness and safety on the
seas. He pointed out the fact that
Great Britain did not use her naval
power to suppress or prevent the de-
velopment of merchant marine by
$3.50 ~ VA SSs NcA'fESAtVf --SsSI many
The United States need have no ap-
prehension of English sea power. either
in the past or in the future. with re-
spect to the mutual relations of the
two countries" said Sir Henry. SO
high an authority as Admiral Sims, in
almost every speech he makes, speaks
emphaticaiiy of the cordial and salts
factory relations which exist between
the British and American fleets"
Sir Henry also said that. without
government support. Great Britain's
railroads would now be In very bad
way financially,
The future of the railroads. in Eng
land depends very much on the extent
that II will be possible to overcome
the increase in operating expenses
which have resulted as an outgrowth
of increases in wages and the estab-
Eshment Of an eight-hour day for all
railroad employees he believed. ITO
handle the situation for the next two
years, when government control of
railways will terminate there has been
esta blished bv parliament a ministry
'of ways and communications which
will be administered by Sir Eric Ged !.
des. formerly First Lord of the Ad-
miralty. Sir Eric will have charge Of
highways. railways. electricity produc-
ton and wharves. 1t is thought in
England that the GENERALIZATION Of con
troll in this ministry will bring about
a speedy re-establishment on firm
basis of the transportation systems OF
Great Britain"
Sir Henry is hopeful about the labor
situation in England While all SOL
diers are not getting positions as soon
as they are discharged. non-employ-
rnent allowances are being paid by the
government and most industrial estah-
liz hments. especially the railroads,
have adopted the policy of giving re-
turning soldiers their old jobs