Evening star., 1935-08-25
What Europe Thinks of U. S.
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Continued From Third Pase.)
endure-or Americans and Colonials
endure them.
British aristocracy always has con-
sidered even the best of Americans as
somewhat crude" devoid OF back
ground and culture. The "Uncle Shy
lock" campaign, which did so much to
create ill-feeling few years ago,
struck deeply into English conscious
ness. Washington's repeated refusal
to sign the peace treaties; our refusal
to join the League Of Nations, or the
World Court after 1t had been made
over to suit our susceptibilities, has
lead John Bull to conclude that he
alone has to shoulder the white
mans burden" The naval rivalry
growing out of the war, halted mo-
mentarily by the Washington treaties,
and now underway again, and the en-
croachments into trade marts long
regarded as the exclusive property Of
British industry, have also found an
echo in the minds Of the people.
Consistency is not q cardinal princi-
pie in politics, nor is inconsistency un-
known in international relationships
It was perfectly all right. In the eyes Of
Englishmen, for his government to 90
of the gold standard overnight, Sc
cretly and abrutly, leaving the Dutch,
French. Swiss, Portuguese and many
other investors caught for heavy
sterling losses. That was good finan-
cial Judgments thing the City of
London prides itself upon. But when
Washington deprecated the dollar
even though 1t did so gradually, giving
investors ample time to cover their
losses, the English accused the Amer
leans Of sharp dealing. When Presi-
dent Roosevelt threw the monkey
wrench into the machinery Of the
London Economic Conference 1t was
out-and-out treason, they were told.
Both the British government and
people have long been wont to con-
slider Americans as amateurs In diplo-
macy. They still do. The British for
eign ONCE. along with the British
navy, has for centuries been England's
bulwark. When the foreign ONCE
needed to bolster the hand-or argu-
ment-of an Ambassador 1t called in
the navy. The continuity Of foreign
office policy has made international
dealing almost routine-in other words,
Britain has always had foreign pol
icy. As the saying goes: Cabinets
may come and governments may 60
but the British foreign Office goes on
forever" For every card In the hand
the foreign Office has several up its
sleeve. MuSsolini will have to admit
that before he Is through with his
African interlude. 1t Is understand
able why the English cousin gets all
peeved when American diplomacy or
the American navy threatens Britain
MAS rule. And when British and
American political and economic in
terests clash these days the outcome
is never certain.
Population Hurt England.
Reputation of her debt to the
United States also was not easy for
Britain. The nation had tradition to
overcome, and tradition means much
to an Englishman. They have always
prided themselves upon their scrupu-
lous regard for contracts and treaties.
The integrity of the pound sterling
until the World War-was above re-
proach. It held its head as high as
did the proud Union Jack. For any
body but Britannia to rule the waves
Is still inconceivable for an English
to be challenged is intolerable.
The average Briton likes to look
upon the United States as an offshoot
of British culture and tradition-an
offshoot not very highly developed. It
Is to q certain extent. The English
man is loath to admit that other
nationalities, thrown into the melting
pot, may have contributed greatly
toward making the United States what
it is today. In his heart, he regards
the American much as the older Eng
lish families regard the younger SON
q member Of the family, but not the
family. So long as Americans are
content to play second fiddle they are
welcome members Of the international
symphony.
In England, as in France, Italy,
Germany and Russia, the public's view
point In international affairs is con-
siderably Influenced by the daily press.
British newspapers have been both for
and against Americas depression ex-
periments. They approved Roosevelt's
social reforms; the financial program
of the United States Treasury and the
aims Of Secretary Of State Hull and
the Department Of Foreign and Do
mestic Trade have aroused fear and