The Washington herald., 1921-05-22
PHILIP GIBBS NOTES SIGNS
THAT AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP
FOR ENGLAND Is INCREASING

and awkward in opening our hearts
and homes to invaders Our whole
$: stem OF social life was based on
privacy and eNclusiveness, reaching
down from top to bottom.
An EEglishman's house, even in
the meanest street, is not only his
castle, but is a dragon guarded cave.
Even now, people who have been
neNt-door neighbors for 20 years
do not say ''howdy" over the garden
fence. You see, they have never
been introduced"
An Englishman's club is still a
dark, mysterious haunt into which
strangers are seldom admitted. and
after admittance many of them wish
they had not been. That applies at
least TO four dungeons like the
Athenaeum, where even now IL is
impossible TO give a cup Of cold
water TO one who is not PRIVILEGED
to membership.
Many more modern clubs have
broken down that tradition Of hos
unity, bus we are still lamentably
lacking in organized hospitality tc
those whom we wish 10 honor.
Lately there mas been good i'm
provement in favor Of our American
friends ] ventured in a recent artf-
Gle published in London TO call at
tention to the way in which Ameri-
can clubs show courtesy TO EngIist
visitors by making them honorary
members during their stav in IN,
United States, and pleaded foi
more reciprocity.
This idea has now been taken nm
and the National Liberal Club espe-
ciaily has made a good start bv nut
ting 100 membership cards al tho
disposal OF visiting Americans.
Warm Friendship for America,
Organizations also have beer
formed to provide hospitality tt
groups OF business men now in Eng.
land. and the only criticism hesrs
is that expressed by these gentle.
men, who complain that they gei
TOO much food and drink and toe
little sleep.
This. at least. is certain. as have
heard IL from Americans. They hnc
no trace Of hostility to the Unitec
States in England. but. on the con.
trary, genuine warmth Of friend.
ship and desire to know more oi
American political ideas and out
look.
During a recent week. especiaIi,
since the answer from the Whit,
House to the German appeal. ther,
has been an optimistic feelinJ
among the English people that Il
the near future we may look for
closer interest on the part OF tn
United States in European affairs
and her distinterested judgment ant
advice will he an immense help ii
solving difficulties which are still
ahead
Americans tell me with amuse
ment that sometimes they are inter
rogated by English people as to tn,
cause OF the i'll will in the Unitct
States to England. or else IL is as
sumed as a matter OF course tha
there is this hostility 10 us in ever,
American mind on account OF Ire
land.
Although I have endeavored in m:
own writings TO give this matter Il
proper persnective. IL Is dificult &
annihilate fixed ideas in some Eng
lish brains that every American I
IN ardent sympathy with Sim Feii
warfare. and that occasional dem
in New York represen
general opinion in the United States
They are surprised 20 find. in con
versation with representative Amer
leans. that although many ot ther
think our policy In Ireland lack
statesmanship and vision. which Al
Engl'shmen admit in their hearts
they are for the most part hostl
20 the extreme Sim Fein claims.
Politics apart. and fortunatel
there are other things In life. the
are many signs Of closer pledges c
friendship being made between ou
two countries, now that SO manyo
us on both sides are passing 20 an
fro. English-speaking unions ~
doing good work. and many hos
tesses in London. including Lad
Astor, who keeps open house, ar
doing their best, so far as they ca
afford entertainment, despite the
present poverty under a burden {
taxation which is really no joke,
promote amity and understanding.
London is not merely a steppine
stone TO Paris. Americans find IN
old town rich in beauty. romano
and artistic treasure which London
ers themselves forget. and while "
are worrying with arithmecratic Is
bor troubles, our visitors scare
out our glory in Westminster Al
hey. our fashions In Mayfair an
the old spirit OF our people in IN
countryside.
think that most Of those VII
return home will have kind thins
10 say and will help TO build bridge
over the wide waters between Us.
tcepyrisht. isai. BY tho Ben Syndicate. In