Evening star., 1940-02-21
Discusses Benefits Of
Staying Neutral
United Stutes Said to Have
Profited in Post From
European Wars .
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor OF The Star:
Much too often we have heard the
United States jestingly referred to as
"England's greatest colony" or 'the
empires most dutiful dependency" or in
similar phrases connoting American
subservience to the United Kingdom.
Exaggerated as these caustic remarks
apparently are. they hold enough truth
to make our resentment doubly strong.
Let 1t be understood from the start
that I am not advocating breach in
Anglo-American relations; am not
striving to promote any hostility be-
tween the English-speaking nations. I
am, however, objecting to the over
indulgent sympathy in certain American
circles toward the empire, sympathy
which tends to invoke assistance to
Great Britain at the expense of the
United States.
With the exception of the first World
War, Europe's strife has always been
to Americas advantage. Freedom from
Europe's conflicts was motivating force
In our struggle for independence, and
since then, through constant reiteration
and application 1t has evolved into ira
dition. BY keeping aloof from en-
broilments abroad, we were able to con-
solidate ourselves at home and finally
attain the enviable position of a great
power. Until 1914, that has been our
time-approved policy. Our faithful adj
herence to it has reaped untold benefits
to America; the only time we departed
from it, we were burned.
Throughout the trying phase Of our
history the British Empire has been our
most pernicious enemy, ever seeking to
hamper our march forward. On the
battlefield and in the realm of diplomacy,
she was persistently aligned against tho
United States. England, in her turn,
was playing Americas troubles to her
advantage. Still, we are what we are
today principally because England was
too busy with the European game to
stack the deck against us.
Looking at the modern world before
us, we see no basic change in the scheme
Of things. Britain is still doing her
utmost to balance the power in Europe
and freeze the status quo. The sides
have changed. but the game is timeless.
OF late, Great Britain has ostensbly
altered her attitude toward her former
colony. Finding need for Americas help
in keeping the world safe for England"
she has embarked upon a policy of
amiability and understanding between
tho twn
Shortly after the timely visit here of
the British King and Queen the empire
was IN a new European mess, and nat
urally every good American was ex-
pected to do his duty. So in the line OF
duty, after inexcusably delaying the
Bremen prior to the declaration Of war,
we repealed the arms embargo, a step
considered by many as placing us in a
state OF semi-belligerency. England may
now procure her indispensable needs.
paying for them in overvalued gold.
We are being properly rewarded for our
fidelity. The British Navy is indiscrimi-
nately seizing American vessels, detain-
ing them on the average of IL days,
whereas friendly" Italian ships are held
for only days. Moreover, public opin-
ion in England is so vexed with Ameri-
can pacifism that the British director
for the promulgation of American infor-
nation" (or in the more banal yer.
nacular-British agent for American
propaganda, stanchly rushed to our
defense, urging maternal indulgence of
the somewhat dull" Americans so un-
responsive to the noble purposes of the
allies.
Today, 'The Star Spangled Banner"
alone reminds us of our old dead enmity
with Great Britain, and plans are brew
Ing to rid us of this last remaining
memory. The National Anthem Club is
dedicated to that end. Be that as it
may. We are heartily in favor Of Anglo
American friendship - of universal
friendship, for that matter. But let US
make certain that this bond will insure
our peace, not war-that 1t will serve
toward the realization of our best inter-
ests. not to our detriment. In the past
we have profited by Europes wars by
staying clear of them. Why not now?
ANDRE YEDIGAROFF.
School Of Foreign Service,
Georgetown University.
February H.