The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News< Morning News, and The Echo. TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1927. BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 8, 11 January 1927, Page 6

The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News< Morning News, and The Echo.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1927. BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

It is not in any -way a reflection upon Mr. Bruce's sincerity to suggest that in England he may have received a hint in high quarters that he might do something to better Anglo-American relations. Detached from English politics, speaking as the political head of a young nation, and about to visit the United States, he was in a position to say things that could scarcely have come from an English Minister. He has said them frequently and emphatically—some of them too emphatically for the tastes of some Britons, who think he has over-flattered the Americans. But however much one may disagree with some of his utterances, there is no doubt that his line of speech has conformed with traditional British policy. This policy is discussed in one of those weighty but clear articles for whieh the "Round Table" is noted. Ever since the Revolution, so the writer says, it has been an axiom of English statesmanship to keep on good terms with America. This policy was pursued with difficulty at times; it broke down completely when war came in 1812, and it was strained severely during the Civil War; but on the whole it was followed "with a singular persistence, uncommon in the foreign policy of any nation." During that time Americans more or less regarded Britain as an hereditary enemy and a tyrant, "the one great Power against whose blandishments every good American had to be on his guard." Then the "grievance" was with America. Now it is with Britain. The war and the years that followed put Britain in a better light in America, and the old legend began to fade. But the American repudiation of President Wilson, the deliberate policy of aloofness, and insistence upon payment of debts, have annoyed Englishmen, and the "Round Table" writer evidently thinks that the greater danger to AngloAmerican friendship lies in England, not in the United States. He therefore urges British public opinion—and no doubt he would include the Dominions in this —not to allow itself to become generally antagonistic to American policy, but, remembering how different conditions are in America from conditions in Britain, to be patient and forbearing.

We are asked to remember that whereas Britain has-long been well educated in international politics, America has not. The writer is convinced, however, that American education is proceeding and that pressure of circumstances will compel Americans to take more interest in world affairs. To assist this process Britain must show "her traditional patience, sagacity, and good-humour." Much could be written on this one sentence, but we have only space now to note this plea, and to remark i that in its conclusions the article appears to | represent fairly accurately Mr. Brace's views. Mr. Bruce realises the enormous importance of Anglo-American friendship, and is sincerely striving to strengthen it.