THE AMERICANS

Evening Star, Issue 19025, 21 August 1925, Page 8

THE AMERICANS

AH AUSTRALIAN VIEW FABLE OF THE DOLLAR The use of the term “Americans ” to describe tbo citizens of the United States of America involves two apologies nt the outset, a humble out to the true and original American, the lied Indian, and one somewhat loss humble to the Canadian, who can claim a higher percentage ol white. Americans of several generations in ratio to population than even his southern neighbor, writes Mr F. J. Ball, the noted Australian writer, who spent several years in Nio United States. _ Since the term “ Yankee ” as ordinarily used south of the equator carries with it a tinge of disrespect, we must perforce describe the inhabitants of _ the States of America as Americans, but in no exclusive sense. But oven in the, States it is by no means easy to define an American. There is the Northerner and the Southerner, the Connan-Ame-rican and the Irish-American, the Bostonian of the sublimated brain and the Chicagoan with a. punch in both fists, who buys his culture in the world’s best markets cut oft in generous chunks. Common report has it that the American is the world’s greatest lover oi the dollar. He will undergo any hardship to add dollar to dollar, bolt his meals, rush at express speed from one side of the continent to the other, perfect his factory methods and business finesse, and subtract ten years from ins allotted span. Possibly all true, but he is no hoarder nor selfish spender; by long odds ho is the most generous soul on this planet. THE WAR DEBTS. ,

It is possible that America's handling of the problem of European war debts is partly responsible for the universal fable as to her rapacity and greed. But is not Britain asking a much higher rate of interest on war loans from her own daughter, Australia, than America is asking of her? If America’s is a rapacious rate, what term shall we apply to England’s? But, of course, the Empire can pay both internally and externally, and would probably insist on payment; but look at poor France Think of her unspeakable sacrifices while America was neutral in everything but amassing dollars. However, Undo Sam knows as well as most of ns that when it conies to finance sentiment ia quite wasted as far as Prance is concerned. As a matter of fact, France is extremely prosperous, and, unlike England, has no unemployment problem. Also, the Frenchman is a past master in the art of evading the tax collector, and the honest American taxpayer, when ho thinks of the hidden hoards in the old stockings of thrifty Franco, a multitude which no man can number, naturally says, “What-for?” when it is suggested that ho forego the debt. Further, it is common knowledge that France is advancing vast sums to Central and Southern Europe for armaments and munitions to establish her hegemony over both frontiers of Germany; no wonder, indeed, after the tragedy of the last decade, that Uncle Sam buttons up his pockets when France pulls out the tremolo stop. When Franco begins to show some sign of a change oi heart, and that the lessons so recently learned are not altogether forgotten, America will almost certainly do as she did with China, surrender her claim, provided the money is not used for the relic 1 of taxation or consumed in munitions of war. The worst thing either Britain or America could do for the peace oi the world would ha to cancel tlm French debt. If that were done we should have a first-class European war within three years. THE BOGY OP PROVINCIALISM.

But what about the proverbial provincialism of hte American, so bewailed by the visiting Briton who often has to inform the American public that there actually is some portion of the earth’s surface beyond the coast of North America? It is certainly true that ten years ago there wore two worlds to the American —United States of America and the Rest—but it is not trim to-day. America knows that her isolation is practically at an end. The radio has put her in direct contact with tho rest of the world; the aeroplane and airship will blot out her frontiers as they have blotted out Europe's; and then, of course, the effect of the world war was cataclysmic. Millions of her men, having touched the outer worlds of Britain, Franco, and Germany, road with avidity the 'news pertaining to those lands, and, as American journalism keeps both its long ears close to the ground, it lias sensed tho need, and is promptly supplying it. Some of tho best articles on foreign affairs today appear regularly in American papers and magazines, and that selfcontained little world, that pocket edition of the universe, of North America lias merged at last into the planet— Earth. Some years ago a friendly passage of anus took place at a complimentary dinner tendered to Lord Bryce in London. A Briton had indulged iu the pretty witticism that an American would make a first-rate Englishman if only his provincialism could he rubbed off." The clever reply of ibo American Ambassador of the day was, “I would make bold to say that any fair-brained Englishman might make a tolerable American it only you could sandpaper his insularity off him.” Surely a very witty and polite way of saying “ You’re another.” If tho American is provincial wo may hazard_ a shrewd guess from whom ho has inherited the trait. AMERICA’S FINEST PRODUCT. Tho greatest product of American democracy is tho American woman. Him scintillates with the brilliance and clarity of a diamond, and is vivacity and charm personified. She may appear to wear her heart on her sleeve, or where the sleeve ought to be, and the maimer in which sho takes tho Britisher into her confidence is very flattering to one accustomed to the reserve and suspicion of tho British dame, but woe betide the miscalled sport who falls into tho cosily error that this indicates that liberties may bo taken. Ho will not cease to wonder for some time what exactly happened subsequently. This warm frankness may be attributed in some degree to tho champagne dimate, and social conditions which could dispense with front fences years ago; but doubtless the co-educntionai system in voguo has played its part. Girls are accustomed to a freedom unknown in Europe and very often leave tho hoys tar behind in tho annual tests. Thus there is none of that pre-nuptial adoration for tho male, followed by post-nuptial disillusionment which makes many a European home a hypocrisy. The Englishman’s home is his castle, but tho American is not monarch of all lie surveys in his. He is very.graciously permitted to provide all tho funds necessary to its adequate equipment and conduct, and so long as lie behaves himself he will he most excellently provided for and supremely happy. He will find, also, “Love” in plenty, Honor” m abundance, but very' little Obey.