Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-08

each others policies and intentions ana
respective ideas of the uses of sea power
in war.
This will bring us to the question of
the rights of private property at sea IN
time of war--the freedom of the seas.
as Americans call 1t. 1t is a very diff
cult question and we both hold stubborn
views about it, Moreover. We are Tempt
cd to hold one view when We are beilig-
erents and another when we are neu-
trails; and we both in our hearts think
that We ought to be in position to en-
force our view. whatever it may be.
So long as we argue the question on
pre-war assumptions our differences
may seem to be irreconcilable. But the
war produced an all-important new fac
tor-the unlimited submarine--which
brought confusion to both our doctrines
/ and left the whole code of sea law in
chaos. We both now say that We desire
| the abolition of the submarine. We may
desire it. but we shall almost certainly
/ not succeed in obtaining it, and If not.
/ is 1t not our duty, as the leading sea
powers. to lay our heads together and
see If We cannot evolve common doc
trine for the protection of property and
the rights of neutrals in future war?
One Danger Spot.
hastv or spasnlodic action. but for care
ful thought and preparation. say. be-
tween the present time and the revision
of the Washington agreement. Here. 1t
SEEMS to me. is the one danger spot in
the relations of our two countries
There is no visible cause of quarrel
between us. and 1t is difficult even to
/ think of questions on which we are
likely to disagree between ourselves. The
danger Is that We may be entangled in
the Quarrels of other peoples. and ey-
perience warns us that We should be III
the danger zone if in the event of an.
other war We found ourselves with diff
fering Svmpathies and conflicting doc
trines of the rights of neutrals at sea
either or both To explore this question
in an atmosphere of peace is surely the
duty of two friendly peoples, each of
whom desires to believe that war with
the other is unthinkable.
Desire of Both Peoples.
This is certainly the desire of the
British people, and no doubt remains
IN my mind that it is also the desire of
the vast majority of the American peo-
pie. There are occasions when we get
on each others nerves, when English
men give themselves airs" and Ameri-
cans rctort by calling them back num-
bors. Our common language gives a
wide publicity to these incivilitieS, and
enables us, as no two other peoples. to
be conscious of each others infirmitjeS.
Germans and Frenchmsn may rail at
either of lis. but invective in a foreign
language lacks the penetrating power
that belongs to the English vernacular.
Let us. II we can. bear this in mind,
especially those of US who write for
newspapers.
Travel in America makes one realize
the differences, but also the great SINH
laritieS. between the two peoples. We
are both to the rest of the world ma
tons of shoPkoopers.' and we both in
cur the same reproacfes. We are both
thought to be thrifty and material
istic. TO be willing to sacrifice great
many finer things to the dollar and the
pound sterling; and We both consider
ourselves TO be misunderstood. and. I
think. with reason. for We are conscious
of that within ourselves which compe,S
us to do all manner of dutiful, unlucra-
tive. idealistic things In spite of cur
shopkeeping.
America Draws Fire.
The current criticism of America in
Europe is curiously parallel with what
during the greater part of my lifetime
has been criticism of Great Britain. We
have in measure outliyed it, because
We are supposed to have fallen on lean
times, and America has taken our place
on the pedeStai-or in the pillory
whichever it be-of wealth and pros
perity. We are not altogether sorry to
yield this place and to be enabled to
sit in the shade for time while Amer
lea draws the lightning: and If We are
wise We shall occupy at least part OF
the time in endeavoring to learn what
America can teach US. That is great
deal, and for the present it is far more
likely that We shall Americarlize some
Of our institutions than that Ameri-
cans viii borrow from US.
But II ever there were two peoples
who were in position to learn of each
other, and whose cooperation was ur-
gently needed for the peace and we'll
being Of the world. they are Great
Britain and the United States