The Washington herald., 1921-10-16

ington and OF Americans in general in an art -
Gle called What ! Think of Americans" t.'. -
.r Princess Bibesco cautions visitors not to s
regard Washington America or a capital in
the ordinary sense. 1t is not natural growth
but is a "potted plant deliberately chosen and
placed" Washington" she continues, us
lovely little country town without shops or q
theaters or accidental growths of any kind;
where fluid streams of changing diplomats ~
flow over the tiny steadfast population. So
ciay the laws the laws Of a small town
People call and leave cards and have days ~
1t is possible not to be asked out, but it is I'd
quite impossible to remain unknown. And EScA
society," though it has nothing else to be in 10
terested in, takes interest in politics. Oc- l.
casionaly you hear a personality discussed, ~
never a measure and in the ordinary ~
of things you will not meet the more interest I'D
ing political figures if they happen also to be Ec8
among the more uncouth. A certain standard ~
or standardization-is required" III
One of the great differences between w
England and America, according TO the prin-
cess, lies in the fact that the English believe
in personal liberty while the Americans be-
Ieve in or at least insist upon conformity. .. r
Our freedom is invested in constitution =
which pays a very small dividend. America
% -" ~ -. aud ,
rich enough-what is, l believe, called com. -
fortable'-not to need to work hard We European
nations who have known only want but almost
starvation, have ended by leaving America the most
conservative country in the world"
Discussing the obstacles which keep. the people Of
different nations from knowing each other better,
Princess Bbesco declares that the first obstacle is the
history book which inculcates hate under the guise
OF patriotism, singing the glory OF and painting
gray the drab times Of peace" OF another obstacle
she writes, "One of the obstacles doubt is that
do not hest
atves; but during the great many American
Americans came to Europe and surprised everyone BY
their modesty their simplicity, their frankness, their
friendhness We are very much inclined to mistake
certain naive crudeness for blatant bOastulness
be irritated by chidike sefemphass that is often
an external manifestation of curious fundamental diff
hdence. Americans as sure of themselves as
we are and they show it in a hundred ways in their
legislative safeguards against themselves in the tyranny
OF public opinion that they and bow, downl in
their real though often concealed sensitiyeness to
private opinion, in the continual references 10 the
greatness OF America which appear in their public
speeches. + 80. ....,.. 49,. .1s.< }.t*G
AL OF these things which are. irritating to the
older generations are the natural symptoms of youth
and uncertainty, Americans are making their debut
in the world with the nervous oyercon6dence of
young girl who, making new conquests, every day,
can hardly keep pace with herself And Europe is
the half-scandalized. half-envious chaperon o.
THE English have quite different attitude to-
ward life. Our arrogance is the arrogance of under
statement If articles appeared in our papers about
America violent Of Americas attacks on
us, she would see red with rage. We remain calm
and courteous not OF any superior virtue but
OF indifference" ..
The Princess is hopeful OF future. Com
mcrce, she asserts, "is dominating this age beauty is
pressing forward enfold it it EMBODIED re-
igion. They have met in American railway stations
the cathedrals OF busness-and they will meet
again"