Greymouth Evening Star. TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 1943. ANGLO-U.S.A. RELATIONS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 March 1943, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 1943. ANGLO-U.S.A. RELATIONS.

jNCIDENTS and comments, recently, have emphasised that, as Mr. Doidge said in the House of Representatives yesterday, “some Americans do not like us.” It is equally true that some of British descent do not like Americans. It is not to be expected that complete harmony will prevail between English-speaking nations. The history of the relations between the two major sections has not always been happy. Apart from the Continentaldescent people in U.S.A., who cannot be expected to enthuse about the British, there are other elements who continue to dwell on the -wrongs suffered by their ancestors in U.S.A., Ireland and elsewhere. From Press and platform orators comes support to these anti-British sentiments, but much of the denunciation is ol the ‘‘hot air” variety.

There is little doubt that the great bulk of the U.S.A, pcojile are desirous of friendship with the British Commonwealth, and it would be foolish to take undue notice of newspapers like the “Chicago Tribune.” or politicians like Mr. Maas, when these ventilate their views about the British. Aluch of the former prejudice on either side was founded on ignorance, and the more the personal intercourse, the less became the misunderstandings. The war has given the opportunity for many of such meetings, and the co-operation during hostilities should be followed by greater co-operation in the post-war years. Axis ])ropagandists are reported to be busy endeavouring to split the Allies, but those efforts will be futile. To.virtues ever kind and to faults a little blind must be the guiding principle of Anglo-U.S.A. attitudes to each other. Neither group of nations is really perfect.

An example of the tactics employed by some of anti-British sentiments, is the criticism of British officials in Washington, notably the Ambassador, if they do not keep in step with American desires. The Washington columnist, Drew Pearson, recently paid tribute to the success of Viscount Halifax, in dispelling anti-Bn-tish views. “Viscount Halifax, courtly, courteous British Ambassador,” Pearson states, “sometimes has been criticised for not mingling enough with folks, not.playing up io the wives of Isolationist Senators. But behind the scenes Halifax has made some moves which have won him big blocks of friends. One of these is the leading Negro organisation, the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured Peoples. The Ambassador received a letter from Walter White, head of the association, asking certain questions about India. Lord Halifax took train to New York, climbed up to the offices of the National Association and had a long talk with Walter White. Since then the Ambassador has had some staunch friends among his former coloured critics.” If it is well that the British should ask themselves why Americans do not like, them, it is equally desirable for the people of the U.S.A, to indulge in similar self-introspection. Americans cannot claim to be universally popular, not even on their own continent. Canadians and South Americans are occasionally critical 01. the U.S.A, people. In normal days, this question of the extent of the esteem in which one nation holds another, would not be of great consequence, but in the post-war world, when the success of involved plans of reconstruction will largely depend on mutual respect, goodwill, self-sacrifice and confidence, the issue has great importance. The “mote and the beam” warning must not be forgotten, and there should be a general disposition to admire what is good in each other, rather than be eager to censure what is not so welcome. Phis is especially necessary where British and Americans are concerned.