Evening star., 1935-08-18

- and privately, Is changing its
mind about the United States
and Americans.
Almost imperceptibly this change
has come about-imperceptible to
expatriates who have lived on the
continent since the armistice. but
glaringly evident to those who are
but periodic visitors.
Fifteen years ago an American
could have anything he wanted in
most countries of Europe-even in
Germany, Austria. Bulgaria and Tur-
key, which composed the defeated
nations" OF course. there were a few
spots where Americans weren't ap-
preciated Italy was peeved because
President Wilson had blocked her
Adriatic Irredentist ambitions: Rus
sia was peeved because she could not
obtain recognition and some Germans
resented the failure to impose literally
the IA points at Versailles. But. in
general, Americans and the United
States stood ace high from November,
1918. until Locarno.
During the period that Immediately
preceded the depression Uncle Sam
became everything from Uncle Santa
Claus" to Uncle Shylock." The time
when American tourists lit cigarettes
with 10-franc notes worth about 20
cents) and American nopveaux-riches
showered bewildering tips on taxi
drivers and walters. passed shortly
before the depression broke.
Diplomats and politicians no longer
maneuver and intrigue to get the
United States involved in their efforts
to escape the inevitable consequences
of the war. They now know it isn't
any use.
Two Sides to the Picture.
There have always been two sides
to the picture of what Europe thinks
of America and Americans. One is
what governments-or politicians,
diplomats and occasional statesmen
which make up governments-think,
and try to make their peoples think.
The other is what the man-in-the-
street, the tradesmen, innkeepers
peasants and workers. think and feel
toward Americans and the United
States.
The views of the former are pred
icated largely upon political, financial
and economic factors. Those Of the
masses are based upon social, racial,
religious, historical and traditional
reactions and viewpoints. They are
also influenced to some extent by
such questions as tariffs, exports, ex-
changes, tourist traffic, emigration
possibilities, etc, which in turn re-
fleet the internal policies of the United
States.
Santa Claus Idea Passes.
Whatever the drawbacks to the
American policy of Splendid Isola-
ton" in the conduct Of our interna-
tional affairs may be-and they ad-
mittedly are many - the policy Of
minding our own business, which now
appears to be in vogue, has had one
important effect upon European ma
tions. They are slowly coming around
to the realization that there isn't any
Santa Claus" anymore SO far as Uncle
Sam Is concerned.
1t has taken European politicians q
full decade-and a depression-to con-
vince themselves that the American
people, as whole. are not interna-
tionally minded; that at the present
time at least, Americans aren't inter-
ested in saving the world for democ-
racy, and that, If they have their way.
there will be no one-sided cancellation
of the war debts. Although they had
one proof Of it when the United States
turned the woodrow Wilsonites out Of
Office European statesmen cannot rec
oncile themselves to the fact that. in
the final analysis, the American Gov
ernment usually follows the wishes Of
the people rather than succeeds In
moulding public opinion into con-