The New York herald., 1922-07-16
Sir Philip Gibbs Declares
AngIO-American Friendship
Is the Best Hope for Future

! 1t breaks down the barrier of
ignorance and creates a sense of in
timacy with the smaller ways of life
without which no two peoples can
really have friendship.
Calls Harvey an Influence.
In political way. not in the narrow
sense Of the word but in the larger
aspect, the American Ambassador TO
London. George Harvey. is quite a
powerful influence in creating social
good will and understanding. He has
certainly made success OF his Job
which must be surprising to many of
his critics. / cannot pretend to be ig-
norant Of the violent objections raised
at Harvey's appointment in certain
American circles, and without having
met the man was strongly prejudiced
against his personality, his methods of
journalism, his type of mind, as they
were interpreted to me by distinguished
Americans who feared he would "let
down" the reputation of the United
States and make a hideous and humil-
iating failure at the Court of St.
James's.
Everything hear, however, seems TO
show that theoAmerican Ambassador
in London has won a good deal of con-
fidence and is very generally liked by
all who come in contact with him. He
has won his position In spite of his
early speeches, which raised the hair
on some English heads, or, if they
hadn't any hair, gave a drafty sem
sation to their scalps. They were ag-
gressively American. being hostile not
in intention but in fact to the sensi-
bilities of quite a number of good
friends of America and seemed to bar
the way to any prospect of American
cooperation in Europe.
Since then Harvey has mellowed He
loves America no less, but he likes
Europe more and understands England
with what / should say Is pretty
shrewd though friendly Judgment. I
think his ideals have broadened; he Is
out for the peace of the world, recon-
struction of the nations. not In a Wis
ionary way, but by means of common
sense, facing up to facts. getting hos
tile views to agree on compromise and
arbitration.
Won Place In London.
What has won him his place in Lon
don, and 1t is difficult job to fill, is
believe his great sense of humor, his
straightforward simplicity Of approach.
He does not wrap himself round with
portentous dignity and solemnity, but
Is apt to break down portentousness in
others
/ saw him preside at dinner party
to which 1 had the honor Of an invita-
ton. which was quite test Of tact.
Around the table in the dining room at
the American Embassy were crowded
an enormously distinguished and va
ried company, representing, l should
say, the most violent contrasts in
thought and policy of English society.
I sat next to diehard Duke, and on
the other side of Harvey was the Ger
man Ambassador, and all around the
table were men of famous names in
politics, science and public life.
There was informal discussion of
Russia, Germany and the attitude Of
the United States to world problems.
Not an easy company to handle nor
subjects without extreme differences of
opinion, but Harvey. in an admirable
way, led the discussion, made COM
, ments, and in a perfectly easy way
drew out the best thought among the
guests. Few men would have been so
good, so humorous. so much at ease.
He is not helped by his presence, for
he was not born beautiful. His face
has positive peculiarities which I find
fascinating. But, illumined with COM
icality of expression. he is curiously
attractive, and he tells American
stories with drawl that gives their
full flavor
American Hostesses.