AMERICAN VISITORS.

Evening Star, Issue 23657, 17 August 1940, Page 10

AMERICAN VISITORS.

Any searcher for the silver lining in the clouds of warfare and the attendant distress cannot help but fix his attention on the gradual, but sure, strengthening of Anglo-American relations. Mutual peril seems to be drawing the British Empire and the United States into a clearer understanding of each other’s problems, and towards an attitude of greater tolerance in the manner of regarding various national characteristics inherent in each country. It is even within the bounds of possibility that in the course of the next peace time with which the world is blessed steps will be taken by the two most powerful and influential democracies .in the world to soften the effect of the ancient cleavage by looking upon it more in the light of a “ family squabble,” capable of adjustment, than as a permanent breach. At any rate, it seems certain that after the war some provision for the safety of civilisation will be made in the form of an Anglo-American alliance against further criminal uprisings by aggressive nations. In the Pacific the ties that bind Britain and the United States are particularly strong. And it is here that Australia and New Zealand have a big part to play in shaping the policy of international law and order which will be so necessary. Already the seeds are being sown for the new age of peace and security. No temporary post-war chaos can stay the march of sound progress by great nations which work conscientiously together towards the desired goal.

On© of the developments paving the way is the visit being paid to New Zealand and Australia by the American pressmen who have just arrived in Auckland by the giant flying-boat, California Clipper. These journalists, who together represent every chain of newspapers in the United States, have been selected for their proven powers of observation, and no doubt also for a genuine desire to carry millions of readers in their own country an accurate picture of democracy as it is seen to work in the British dominions of the South Pacific. On the other hand, they bring to this part of the world a true conception of America’s attitude towards the war. Since they are men whose work keeps them closely in touch with public opinion, their views bear the stamp of authenticity, and it is more encouraging to hear from them than perhaps from any other source that there has been a great wave of opinion in favour of helping Great Britain. Lindbergh’s following, it appears, is limited mainly to those who want to keep America out of the war at any price, or for special reasons, among them being pacifists, Communists, and members of the German-American Bund. One of the visiting journalists has gone so far as to express the opinion that America was already (Britain’s ally in all but one thing—she was not sending an expeditionary force to Europe. It will be generally agreed that, on account of the trend the war has taken, the despatch of an American Expeditionary Force to Europe is neither feasible nor desirable. Britain most urgently, wants more aeroplanes and the products of the armament industries generally. American men may yet be needed in their own country, or at least in regions nearer to it than Europe. Provided Britain can continue her mastery over the German air force and maintain the stringency of the blockade there can be only one ending to the hostilities on the eastern side of the Atlantic. In regard to the blockade it would be reasonable to assume from Germany’s agitation about the famine in store for Europe during the coming winter that her leaders are beginning to fear thar the blitzkrieg cannot end the war this summer or autumn, and that tlie Royal Navy will be able to maintain its control of the seas. The remarks of the visiting American pressmen reflect a genuine confidence in the British Empire’s ability to weather the storm. These journalists are intensely interested in all they see in this part of the world, and are reported to be more eager to absorb information about life “ down under,” especially under war conditions, than to talk about their own land. The stream of publicity that will go back to the United States as a result of their tour will have a beneficial effect on our economic life after the war. Tourist traffic should be stimlated, and Australia and New Zealand will be hailed as useful partners of the United States in establishing, with Great Britain herself, a new and safe order in the Pacific.