Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-22
The Enigmatic Mr.. Henderson.

from THIS distance IL is not quite
clear what Mr.. Arthur Henderson, Brit
fish foreign secretary. is driving at when
he talks about lone of the turning
points in their histories" which Great
Britain and the United States have
reached. I'VE have ID choose between
peace and war" he lugubriously and
systematically adds, and insists that
1--WE have to make that choice now, -
without evasion or postponement.
Coming from the foreign minister
Of government always cautious in in
ternational utterance, there is bound to
be certain disquiet as a result of Mr..
Henderson's cryptic words. He should
forthwith submit a bill of particulars.
Anglo-American relations surely can
not possibly be in such a state of strain
as to make full and prompt disclosure
of the facts undesirable. What is it
that induces the chief of the British
foreign Office to say that Great Britain
and the United States must decide be
tween cooperation and conflict between
a developing and ennobling civilization
and collapse into the barharism of the
past? Why, barring early Anglo
American concord does Mr.. Henderson
set us shivering over "a cataclysm to
come upon the world which will en-
gulf all that we care about in Western
civilization?
AS far as the American people are
aware. there is but one unliquidated
tissue" pending between the two English
speaking peoples. That issue is best
known as the freedom of the seas. 1t
affects our rights at sea as a neutral
commercial nation in the event Of in
ternational war. American views and
British views on the freedom of the seas
vary in vital respects. In 1915 and
1915 differences Of opinion on that score
more than once seriously threatened
the relations of the United States with
Britain and other allied powers. IN
doubtedly it is incumbent upon the
statesmen of London and Washington
to come to grips as soon as possible with
that ancient bone Of contention. Until
it is picked to pieces, even a naval
accord, such as that which is now In
existence, will not suffice to keep the
Anglo American skies cloudless.
But Mr.. Henderson would have found
st easy to speak plainly If nothing but
the freedom of the seas is at the back
of his head. The probability seems far
more justified that when he so gloom
ily descants upon Anglo-American re-
lations he is alarmed over the general
state Of affairs in Europe, which In
many respects are as full of explosive
ingredients as they were prior to 1914.
In common with many other authorities,
the British foreign secretary envisages
the possibility of another devastating
European war, in which Britain and
the United States would not be directly
involved as belhgerents, but in which
they would be cast for roles no less
nomentous. Between them, the British
and American Navies WELD more than
nifty per cent Of the worlds sea power.
They dominate the worlds finances.
They control the supply of essential
raw materials.
Is 1t not within the realm of the
conceivable that Mr.. Henderson seeks
70 stimulate public opinion in this
country In favor of some hard and fast
understanding between John Bull and
Uncle Sam whereby their mighty forces
material and moral-would be pooled
Tor peace representation purposes? Such
y project lacks the element Of novelty.
II London should ever put it forth in
any guise suggestive of an alliance,
American sentiment unquestionably
would recoil from the thought. If Mr..
Henderson has anything else up his
sleeve, he would do well to bring it
forth, let us see 1t and give US a chance
TO think 1t over.
i