AMERICA AND BRITAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 186, 6 August 1918, Page 4

AMERICA AND BRITAIN.

The glowing tributes that are being paid to Britain in America on the fifth anniversary of the "war are the product of natural sympathy 'which has expanded and been strengthened in the trial of war. In the early days of the struggle the warm sympathy that so many Americana felt for England's cause was tempered by criticism of her conduct of the war. Much of this criticism arose from ignorance, and appreciation of England's effort increased as her difficulties came to he understood. And as the American people saw more clearly, partly by what happened in their own country, how abominable were Germany's ways, the I good feeling "towards England, as one of the upholders of right, spread and deepened. The entry of the United States into the war, of course, greatly helped the cause of Anglo-American friendship. To-day Americans admire and sympathise with England not only because the countries are united by ties of race, language, and ideals, but because Americans have been lighting side by side with Britons against the Beast, and because Americans know now how vast and difficult is the task of preparing for war. Sixteen months of a war of their own, in which disappointment and achievement have jostled each other, have taught Americans much more about Britain, difficulties and Britain's successes than could be learned from all the pro-British propagandists. There arc some people in America who hate England, and deplore that she is an ally of America, but public opinion lias been hardening against them. Many Americans regard hostility to Britain as an offence nearly as serious as hostility to their own country. "A liar and a traitor is the man, be he p*"oGerman, Irishman, or anything else, who i questions the honesty and motives of England in her association with the United States in this war." So spoke recently Mr. W. H. Taft, ex-President of the United States, a man who rarely uses such vigorous language. "Never since the beginning of Britain," said the New York World," on this war anniversary, "have the people risen to nobler heights of duty." Throughout the Empire these words "will foe read "with warm satisfaction and gratitude, and people will reflect that in the field and at home Americans themselves are rapidly qualifying for similar praise.