Evening star., 1943-10-13

outstanding IdCb edH& -
about British David Lawrence.
American relations, and it would be
tragic If the public discussion which
goes on concerning British diplo-
macy or British commercial aspira-
tions or postwar desires were to be
misconstrued by those who do not
know how to evaluate such discus
sion.
The five Senators who returned
from their trip around the world
brought back certain criticisms OF
our own policies on lease-lend as
1t relates to Britain. This does not
mean that the British are at fault
in endeavoring to get the assistance
they want nor does it mean neces-
sarily that Americans who have
been allocating lease-lend supplies
have been overgenerouS. 1t might
conceivably be a combination Of
hindsight being better than fore
sight now when such matters are re-
part of British commercial inter-
ests which have suffered devastat-
ing blows on account Of the dis
ruption of war trade.
Poor Trading Resented.
The United States is a wealthy
Nation and can afford to make mis-
takes on the side of generosity, but
the average American resentS being
outmaneuvered in a business deal
or trade of any kind. If he thinks
our diplomatic representatives have
been outtraded or have failed to
hold up the American end of the
argument, he is much more likely
to express admiration for the ten
acity with which British interests
have been protected and severe
criticism for the manner in which
American interests are neglected
than he is to hold the British in
any way to blame for their policies
or activities.
It is important to understand
that lease-lend is in itself a most
complicated affair. With shipments
to all parts Of the world and for
reasons that are partly political
in an international sense-espe-
cially when relations with neutrals
come into the picture-and partly
morale building among our own al
lies, the explanation of all trans
actions may not have been impaired
to the persons representing Amer
ican interests overseas.
There is name heard often here
In official quarters concerning the
demands of local commanders for
more supplies for their respective
battle areas. 1t is called 'localitis." !"
They see the war only from their
own faraway spot in the global
strategy and, due to the necessity
of secrecy and perhaps due to poor
communication facilities, it is not
always possible for the background
of a certain step in policy to be
transmitted everywhere at the same
time. So Americans, both civilian
and military officials, pour out their
complaints and their criticism to
any visitors who happen along and
who might be able to correct what
seems an injustice.
Proper and Desirable.
1t Is proper and desirable for the
Ave Senators to report back what
they heard. 1t is very desirable that
they should give to their colleagues
In the Senate and to the press, sub
ject to certain limitations on mill
tary information, sn analysis of
what they saw overseas. Our British
friends should not be disturbed by
this criticism any more than We
would be if returning British travel
Frs came to London and reported
On American policy. The British
went through a severe period of
strain while America debated prior
10 December, 194l, whether our in
;erests conceded with those of Brit
ain sufficiently to take even measures
"short of war"
Carefully studied, everything the
Senators say does not remove the
broader impression that from a
military point of view the war is
being fought effectively. Differences
on what the strategy should be are
natural. If it be considered inois-
Greet for our Senators to argue for
the acquisition of Siberian bases
and Far Eastern second front for
Russia, then it must have been in
discreet for so many good friends of
Russia in the United States to criti-
cize the Allied strategy in failing to
open second front" in France.
All this discussion is healthy and
cannot disturb good relations if put
in proper perspective, and this can
. be done by accurate reports in the
press from both London and Wash
ington. When Gemocracies are
afraid to discuss their mutual prob