CORRESPONDENCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 74, 24 September 1938, Page 8

CORRESPONDENCE

HALF-FORGOTTEN FACTS

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —A few days ago when it appeared certain that the European situation would start another Great War the United States of America became exceedingly alarmed. She thought, apparently, she might be asked or expected to help preserve the boundaries of a State which she, no less than any other of the Allied Powers m 1919, helped to create. Her Press and authoritative spokesmen screamed for neutrality, even for non-intervention by her politicians. Now that it seems a general conflagration may be averted she metaphorically comes out -from under the bed clothes, adopts a pious attitude, and shouts, "If the so-called, realists (meaning Great Britain and France) are not willing to put up a battle for the preservation of liberty they need not count on any help from us/ This is a typical example of American inconsistency.

If the U.S.A. had pulled her weight as a Would Power in the League of Nations, which, anyway, was her idea, things might have turned out differently. Of course, when it might be a personal matter, she takes a different attitude about our British "cousins." Witness the film of the sinking of U.S.S. Panay, when the survivors were given care and safe passage down the Yangtze to Shanghai by a British gunboat.

Finally, another important point which seems to have escaped notice, the left-wing parties in Great Britain until quite recently have been fanatical in their demand, with success also,* for disarmament. - They also staged countless "we will not fight" campaigns, and rigidly opposed the building of one extra Navy ship, aeroplane, or tank, etc., accusing any politician who suggested this as wishing to embark oh, Imperialistic wars. Now these same people wish the country to wage a war in the unprepared state that they are responsible for, in defence of a country that Britain has, at least, no more obligations to. than the United States, who is so loud in her cry for neutrality as well as in her condemnation of Great Britain for wishing to adopt a similar attitude. — I am, etc., CONTEMPT.