AN AMBASSADOR AND HIS WORK

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3100, 2 June 1917, Page 6

AN AMBASSADOR AND HIS WORK

A perusal of American newspapers dealing with the recent visit of tho Allied missions to the United States will strengthen a conviction that Britain made no mistake when she selected Me. Balfour as her principal representative on that historic occasion. Marshal Joffre and his colleagues, as was noted at the time, wero greeted by the American people with an unexampled warmth of welcome which in itself is an eaFriest of America's determination in the war. But it is not less evident that tho skill and address with which Me. Balfour conducted his mission led to results which promise to be of enduring value not merely as strengthening the Alliance against Germany but as tending to draw tho two great sections of the Englishspeaking race into closer harmony and sympathy. That the British mission and the-issues which it raised had peculiar claims upon the attention of the people of tlie United States was very freely recognised by American commentators. "Because of the historic bonds of gratitude and friendship that bind the United States to her great sister Hepublic, and because in Marshal Joffub France sends us the hero of the Marno and tho most distinguished soldier of the present war, the French Commission,"■the_Ncw York World remarked in a typical editorial utterance, "must take first rank in sentiment among ■Americans." "But," added the same paper, "practically, the wisdom of the decision of the Allies themselves that the British Commission shall havo< precedence in the conferences cannot be- questioned." Other papers spoko in a similar strain. Tho Detroit Free Fress welcomed as a momentous development the birth of a working alliance between the two great English-speaking nations of the earth. The Washington Herald declared that tho new Anglo-Ameri-can solidarity was an irresistible weapon welded by German militarism for its own destruction. And the Seattle Times agreed that "Teutonic intrigue and Teutonic mthlessness on land a.nd sea have made possible that closer relationship between England and America of which far-sighted men on both continents have dreamed for generations 'and-for which they previously have striven in vain." These representative utterances afford incidental evidence of a, noteworthy personal achievement by Mr. Balfoue. In order to approximately measure the achievement it 13 necessary to remember • that the American people wero. not by any means all of one mind in regard to entering into close relations of cooperation with the Allies. Tho majority of tho na.tion and its ablest leaders 'undoubtetedly favoured that course, but there wero powerful elemonts of Hostility ancf opposition, and the idea that the United States should "play a, lone hand" in tho war found persistent advocates even amongst some of those who profess whole-hearted sympathy with the Allies. "It will not do to say that because Americans as a whole sympathise with the Allies,"- wrote the New York Evening Post, "therefore they must lose their identity in a European alliance. Some say that its cause is ours. It may be. But we have neve-r thought of going to war for that reason, and cannot now. 1 If wo..take.up arms against Germany it will be on an issue exclusively between that Empire and this Eopublic; and tho Republic must retain control of that issue from beginning to end." This is a particularly f utilo subordination of the real "issue at stake, and such utterances betray a lack of elear thinking only possible in the case- of thoso who fail to recognise that the world will never bo made safo for democracy, as President Wilson declares it must be, until tho power of German militarism is broken. With .such ideas abroad, however, an Ambassador less gifted than Mr. Balfour might easily bavo failed to achieve tho objects of his mission and might hayo done more harm tba,n good m y approaching America with proposals

of close co-operation. The achievement standing to Mr. Balfouh's credit i 3 that he swept away such doubts and uncertainties as have been touched upon and delineated with masterly skill tho broad tract of common ground on which America- and tho Allies stand. He was particularly careful not; to wound the susceptibilities of the American people in regard to'the traditional isolation of which they are proud. Speaking to some Washington correspondents on April 25 bo referred to the fears of some "doubting critics" that his mission war, "to inveigle the United States 6n1,-of its traditional policy and to entangle it in formal alliances, cither secret or public, with European Powers." On this point ho said: I can't, imagine, any rumour of less foundation or policy more utterly unnecessary' or futile. Our confidence in the assistance we are going to get is not based upon mien shallow considerations as thoso which arise out of formal treaties. No treaty could increase our undoubted confidence in tho people of the United Stnt.es, who, having come into tho war, aro going to see it through. If anything is certain in tins war, that is certain. 1V» years and a half havo elapsed since .the groat American, public have been watching tho blood-stained drama across tho ocean, and I am well convinced that they believed ne each month passed Uial it was no small, petty interest, no struggle for territory, no struggle lor national ambitions, or the satisfaction of small national interests, but the liberties of mankind that were animating the Allied countries. Now, after watching it, you have felt yourself imoclled to join that great contest. I feel certain that you will throw into it all your unequalled resources, including your resources of invention and production, and your man-power, and, having come to that decision, nothing will turn you from it until success shall crown our joint efforts.

America, a-s Mr. Balfoijr himself most freely recognised, was committed to a vigorous war policy from tho date on which her decision was taken, but thero is not the slightest doubt that tho masterly skill with which ho concentrated attention on essentials has contributed potently to the sweeping away of futile doubts and academic reservations which served no other purpose than to cloud the real issues at stake. It is a singular tribute to his powers as an Ambassador that while the unwisdom of entangling alliances was tho principal cry raised at the outset by his "doubting critics," and he himself repudiated any intention of promoting such an alliance, one of tho most notable results of his mission was to keenly stimulate tho discussion in America of the benefits of closer relations between tho two sections of the Englishspeaking race. It was recalled by tho New York Globe that years ago Mr. Baltouu foretold the coining of a timo "when someone, some statesman more fortunate even than Pr.% sident Monroe, will lay down the doctrine that between Englishspeaking peoples war is impossible." "Why not," suggested the Globe, "call this the Balfour doctrico in memory of the present visit 1" The utterances of obher leading American newspapers are epitomised in tho expressed opinion of the New York Tribune that perhaps the greatest consequence of the woildwar will be the inauguration of a new era in the English-speaking world. No better proof could be desired that Mr. Balfour handled a great cause on a great occasion with conspicuous ability and success.