The New York herald., 1921-01-02
in British Policy Toward America Seems Certain

surface of Anglo American waters, and the
French are just as eager as the Germans
to find in American associations a possible
counterpoise to British predominance for
the future Our official declaration in a
letter to the Italian Ambassador at the
crisis of the Polish situation was eagerly
selzed upon by the French as weapon
against British policy in dealing with the
Bolshevists, was used effectively and
awakened violent protests in Great Britain.
Thus the British are bound to be aware. un-
pleasantly aware, that the Continental ma
tions are seeking to employ the United States
in their own interests when these interests
conflict with British and so far have not
wholly failed.
A New Situation Is Developing
Restoration of AngIo-French Alliance
When, however, one asks the blunt ques-
ton, Will British policy change abruptly?
it seems to me the answer must be negative.
The obstacles in the way Of speedy restora-
ton of the Anglo-French alliance, with Italy
conjoned; the obstacles in the domestic life
of Britain and the barriers resulting from
conflicting economic interests are so enor
nous that such a change seems impossible.
save after long delays.
But, by contrast, it is impossible to escape
the conclusion that there will be a gradual
cooling of enthusiasm on the part of many
Englishmen for the pursuit of American
friendship as consequence of the disappoint-
ments and even rebuffs which have so far
attended this policy. One must not blind
ones eyes to the fact that whatever salts
factory explanations Americans can give
themselves of the temporary coldness in
Anglo American relations however clearly
Americans perceive that no domestic agita-
ton by any elements in our population of
German and Irish origin can lead to any
real quarrel between the two nations to that
supreme calamity which would be an Anglo
American conflict, however distinctly we per-
ceive that these elements can exercise only
a negative influence, an influence precluding
partnership but incapable of provoking war,
much that is automatic with us is hidden on
the other side of the Atlantic There as
here, too, negative influences are at work
and are bound to continue.
In sum. we are. in my judgment, on the
threshold of new situation. Anglo-Ameri-
can relations are obviously bound to be more
difficult for period, at least, and during this
period British policy will have to face with
some degree of decision the outstanding fact
that the Paris conception of an Anglo
American alliance, the cornerstone on which
British statesmen built for the future, is not
to be realized in any near future AS con-
sequence there is certain to be a growing
demand in Britain for a restoration of the
Anglo-French alliance. This demand is. in
it's turn, certain to promote at the least an
increased cooperation between the two ma
tions and perhaps the termination Of the
present unhappy deadlock. After all, the
chief argument against the Anglo French
association has been that it would interfere
with the Anglo-American. But as the pros
pect Of the latter lessons. the argument must
lose force.
Copyright. 1921, by Mcclure Newspaper
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