Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1940. ANGLO-U.S.A. CO-OPERATION.

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 August 1940, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1940. ANGLO-U.S.A. CO-OPERATION.

T HE institution of a Joint Defence Board by the United State and Canada is more important than may appear on the surface, as it strengthens Anglo-Am-erican co-operation generally. It is another step from strict neutrality by the U.S.A, in the present war, as from now, any direct attack on Canada would be an attack on the neighbouring States. The new agreement strengthens Canada’s defences, and to some degree lessens the British task of protecting Canada. In itself, it should not weaken Canada’s ties with the • Homeland and the Empire generally, although as the years pass, Canada, like the other Overseas Dominions, will be less subject to Homeland initiative, where foreign policy is concerned. Empire administration must change with the times and new conditions, although the fundamental unity of the Commonwealth partners should be permanent. There, is no slackening in the U.S.A, attitude to do all it can, short of war, to help Britain in. the fight to preserve democracy’s freedom and rights. It is‘increasingly recognised that Britain is defending the U.S.A, indirectly, and this realisation must prompt all selfrespecting Americans to reciprocate. Despite the fact that a Presidential election campaign is now in full, swing, all Parties are agreed on hostility to Hitlerism J Mr. Roosevelt’s attitude has never been in question, and if he is reelected in November, it may be expected that his pro-British policy will be more z pronounced. The Republican candidate (Mr. AVillkie) goes nearly as far as Mr. Roosevelt where aid to Britain is concerned. It was significant that Mr. Willkie obtained his Party’s nomina-

tion, —despite the opposition of the Republican “bosses/’ —mainly because of this anti-German attitude. Mr. W. Green, leader of the Labour majority movement, has also come out strongly on Britain’s side. The isolationists are losing influence, and there seem to be few so poor as to do them reverence, these days.

Warnings are frequent -to the American people as to the danger they are ill from a Nazi, attack. The latest comes from Mr. AV. Bullitt, Ambassador at Paris, before 1 4 ! . ■

the Germans occupied the French capital. Having just arrived from the scene of operations, he speaks with some degree of authority. He is frankly alarmist about his own country’s peril, if the utmost is not done to avert the danger from Nazi aggression. Some of the forebodings as to possible defeat of the British Fleet, expressed by American speakers, may be inspired by desire to arouse the American people to action, more than being true estimate of likely happenings. Certainly, the British people have no such fears. However, it is well, to face all possibilities, even if fulfilment seems remote. It is realised now that the U.S.A, defence forces are not strong enough to undertake an offensive fvar, but a great drive is on to make up leeway. This will take time, but with British, naval protection, meanwhile, the U.S.A, should be able* to create the new armies and fleets found to be necessary. The Nazi menace has brought the British Empire and U.S.A, into closer co-operation, and this policy is being developed by negotiations concerning the establishment of the U.S.A.-Cana-dian Defence Board, the proposed leases of British territory for American bases, the supply of armaments, and the common denunciation of Dictators’ aggression. An alliance of English-speaking nations is becoming a fact, not based on documentary treaty, but on the mutual recognition that in this co-operation lies their own best hopes, of salvation and progress.