EUROPEAN CRISIS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 75, 26 September 1938, Page 8

EUROPEAN CRISIS

AMERICAN CRITICISM

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—There can be no right-minded Briton today, of whatever political opinion, who does not hope to foster good will and understanding between the nations of the world, and between men of every race. It is, then, with feeling bordering on despair that we read of the reported attitude of the American Press and the American public towards the European crisis, for if there cannot be sympathy and understanding even between the Eng-lish-speaking peoples we may well ask how it can be possible between others. May I endorse the remarks of your correspondent "R.P.M.," and say that it is indeed difficult to reply calmly to this American criticism. A similar spirit was shown in a very recent edition of the American film, "March of Time," issued before the eruption of the present crisis. Thq commentary in this film dealt with the League of Nations, and strove to emphasise how badly we Britishers had let down the world in J general and the United States in J particular by not going to war with j all and sundry in the sacred cause of collective security. I am all for freedom of Press and! speech, but surely such propaganda will meet the contempt H deserves. We in the British Empire have elected ] rulers who handle foreign affairs in our own best interests, and the New Zealand Government has in no uncertain terms declared its intention to stand by the Home Government in its effort for peace. Why should propaganda from another nation be allowed to influence, or to attempt to influence, public opinion here, possibly against our own Government? What has America done to help collective security? How often have political leaders in the United States reiterated their aloofness from world affairs and their slogan "No European entanglements"?—l am, etc, J. E. SALMON, [This letter has been slightly abridged.—-Ed.]