Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-05-14
Offensive Lord Halifax

Offensive Lord Halifax
ORD HALIFAX the British ambassador to the United
IL States making most offensive attempt to involve
the United States in in behalf of England
In the guise of learning what the American people
are thinking about the war. he is making tour of the
country frankly urging help for Britain.
In all his speeches. he says Great Britain will win the
war providing American help prompt and adequate.
To be sure he very grudgingly says that the amount
of help give and how give ii is strictly our own
business.
WHY then does he go about the country making our
w business HIS business?
Why does not the American government call to ac-
count this British ambassador who is trying to make up
our minds for us on the of peace and other
wise meddlng Independently and unehicay IN strictly
American affairs?
Why does not President Roosevelt emulate the ex-
ample of his great Democratic predecessor President
Cleveland and insist that the diplomatic decencies be
observed by foreign ambassadors penalty of being
expelled from the country for failing to do so?
president CLEVELAND made an historic example
/ of meddling British ambassador in the famous case
of the 'Murchison Letter
When Cleveland candidate for reelection in
1888 Lord Sackvie Brains ambassador in Washington
thought it would be desirable from the British viewpoint
for the American people keep Mr. Cleveland in office
He therefore caused communication to be prepared,
known the Murchison Letter asking the ambassador to
give his views the general attitude of the Cleveland
administration toward England.
He replied that it would be considered advantageous
to British interests to have Mr. Cleveland reelected
1t was generally believed and perhaps true, that
Lord Sackve the real author of both the inquiry
and the reply.
At anv rate President Cleveland instead of being
pleased by this British ntercesson in his behalf most
annoyed by it. and blunty called foreign meddng in
American affairs and caused Lord Sackve to be recalled
1t was of objectionable offense for repre-
sentative of foreign government to try to influence an
American presidential election
DUT is it not much more objectionable ofense for
. representative of foreign to try to nfu
the American people to enter they do not want
and not prepared for especially when they had no
part in starting the and not even consulted
considered by those who did start it?
Lord Halifaxs activities the rostrum endeavorlng
to project America into Engands not only undp
omac they violation of all international codes Of
ethics
They are an abuse of the courtesy of the American
people, challenge to their right of Independent thought
Lord Halifax like Lord sackvle should be recalled
expelled and would be if the country had the same KIND
of self respecting American government that it had in
Ceveands time.
DERHAPS it is true as Senator Wheeler of Montana
l says, that:
1.-THE more speeches Halifax and the royal refugees
make the determined the people are to keep out OF
war"
Perhaps it is true Senator Wheeler further says
that
"The American people getting resentful of the
fact that foreigners trying to involve this country
In a and giving us offensive advice on how to run
country when they have made such miserable
failure at home and with other European countries
with whom they have come in contact"
But the American people should not be compelled to
rely entirely their endeavors to combat foreign
propagandists They entitled to Jealous watch
fulness American interest on the part of their gov
eminent, much as they were during the strictly
INDEPENDENT AND AMERICAN administration of
President Cleveland.