Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-02-04
British, outburst Against America

A SECTION of the British press, repre-
/ "A senting u well-defncd clement among
the people of Great Britain, is expressing the
most virulcnt hostility to the United States
and is seeking TO create Il sentiment which
will force the British government to demand
fairer consideration OF British interests at
the hands of the American government. And
it is not quite possible for the people of this
country to ignore the outbursts of this char
acter on the part of Il friendly nation, a ma
ton beside which America has Just fought
Il life-and-death war.
The first inquiry which suggests itself in
the present situation is why any considerable
number Of Englishmen should turn in anger
and resentment against the United States?
What is the basis for the bitter attacks which
are being launched? What have We done
or proposed or said which arouses British
indignation? There has been. no change of
government here. The present administra-
ton is the same that conducted the war and
negotiated the peace Of Versailles. There
has been no change OF policy. The same
attitude of friendliness, good will and good
neighborliness is being maintained now, in so
far as the ruling powers OF this country arc
concerned. that was maintained from 1917
on.
There have been circumstances. however.
i'll international relationships which have
turned British opinion in some measure
against this country. This must be frankly
admitted: in many quarters they will be as
frankly deplored. In the first place, there
has been an i~nsistent clamor on the part of
many Americans for 4 free Ireland. There
mas been n distinct disposition here to inter
fere in the domestic affairs OF the United
Kingdom in SO far as the Irish question is
concerned, and no fair-minded man can blame
the British for a feeling Of protest against
TINS. Americans would turn against Great
Britain in a minute if that nation should
demand freedom for Alaska; should pass a
resolution through the House OF Commons
for the liberation Of Hawaii, or should extend
such official hospitality to a rebellious Fill
pino chief rs Mayor Hylan has extended to
De Valera.
Then, too, there is the lnexplicable delay
III the ratification of the peace treaty. The
action Of the Senate in this connection is
embarrassing. The British are totally un-
able TO understand the psychology OF the
present treaty situation. Nor is there any
means whatever Of explaining 1t to them.
They were led TO believe while the Paris
negotiations were on that President Wilson
was supported by the people OF his own
country, and that his word was, in effect.
the last word upon the question. But a small
group OF Senators have stood successfully
in the way Of favorable action all these
months. Meantime, all the vital interests
involved are held in suspense. and Great Brit
ain is one Of the chief sufferers from thar
condition.
Finally, the depreciation Of british ex-
change on the American money market has
caused serious dislocation OF business inter
ests. The pound sterling has been reduced
in value by some process or other to some
thing like So, which means that British
purchasing power In American markets rem
orally is sadly curtailed. This has caused
mnch bad feeling.
Although the diplomatic relations between
the United States and the United Kingdom
arc apparently ms cordial as ever, it must
ne confessed that there are reasons WHY
many Britishers should wonder il America is
as much a friend of England as it ought TO be.