AMERICANS AND THE WAR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16289, 23 January 1915, Page 10

AMERICANS AND THE WAR.

LETTER FROM AN AMERICAN FIRM. "HEART AND SOUL WITH YOU." A letter received by a Christdhurch firm of manufacturers from an American firm has been kindly placed at our (Press) disposal. The following extracts are interesting, as showing the American point of view : — " Replying to that portion of your two favours of the 3rd and 10th alt referring to the war, I am glad to have the opportunity of saying what is doubtlees no news t® von, that this country is heart and soul with you in the conflict. I was in London, during the entire month of August, and it is no exaggeration to 6ay _ that there ia more apparent war interest in the cities of this country than there was in London, nor is it any exaggeration to say that the sentiment is practicallv all on one side. _Of course, wo have a German element, but it is not prominent either politically or industrially. In the Union League Club, for example, which is the leading and representative club of Chicago, with 3000 members, and where, I think, your Mr X has had luncheon, I have never met a mail who ia not anti-German, and I am sure that will apply to more than 99 t>er cent, of the members, so that in my daily social and business intercourse I find a unanimous sentiment fop the Allies, and it is not cold-blooded, formal sentiment either. The American mind is probably more worked up over this matter than it has ever been since our civil war, and there is a rapidly increasing element who would welcome any reasonable excuse for us to get into the oonflict, but that is a different matter from forcing ourselves into it. No treaties with this country have been broken, no offence has been given us anywhere, and it would be an unheard-of piecS of idealism for the responsible leaders of the United States to plunge the country into a great war without more cause than now exists. It would seem as though we were looking for trouble, and were determined to go out of our way to find it No other countrv has ever taken euch a step, and I think if your Mr X were President o£ the United States, with all the consequences attached to his acts, he would hesitate before doing what he now suggests, but the temper of the people is such that, given the slightest practical reason for mixing ourselves up in the matter, and you couldn't keep us out of it. This makes the situation a very strained one, and puts us in the attitude of viewing the conflict as one in which we are likely at any moment to become involved.. It ia also difficult to see just what good we could do by engaging ourselves in the war at the present time. We could add to the sea forces of the Allies, but they need no help in that direction, and it is altogether likely that the war would be over before we ooula get a trained army on to the battlefields of Europe. " We also hope to be able to exert a great influence for good when the time of settlement arrives. You need give yourselves no ooncern about what you hear about the various peace movement* in this ocuntry. They are not fathered "by any responsible or representative element' among us, and we recognise fully the folly of bringing this conflict to a premature conclusion, and we recognise entirely the necessity of a .final and decisive verdict. Germany must be rendered incapable of any further dissemination of its nefarious "international doctrines, and until that ia accomplished peace would bo a mistake. We, of this country, can see no possible outcome of the war, but Germany's defeat. It may take longer than some expect, but it is inevitable, and I, as well as most of us here, can only regret that we will not be a party to it, but, nevertheless, I cannot help but feel, as I have stated above, that we would not be justified, without somedirect provocation, in taking an active part. "We are not actuated by any fear of Germany should she emerge triumphant from the conflict, for while we know such an event would probably mean a future straggle between us and Germany, yet, with our population and wealth, weh&vethe fullest confidence in our ability to take care of ourselves. It would mean, of course, a vastly increased expenditure for army and navy, and, possibly, conscription, but' it would be done, as it is inconceivable to us that any European nation could overpower this country. That, however, is not what influences us; it is a matter of sentiment with our people entirely, and wo could raise a volunteer army of millions "to-day should we enter this conflict on any just pretext. By the time I get an answer to this letter there will doubtless be great changes in the face of affairs. We may be in tile war ourselves, and if so, we will have entered it with a good heart and strong pride in being able to take our position by the side of our natural allies, but whether we are or not, I think Germany's doom will bo much more apparent «ven then than it is now. "There is one other point I would like to touch on, and that is that this country would never stand for a German invasion and defeat of England. We may hesitato now because we don't see a good reason for going in, and because wo are not absolutely needed, but let Germany once get a foothold on English 90il and attempt to treat England as she treated France ia 1870 (if that is conceivable), and she would find this country on her back in short order. This is an Anglo-Saxon country, in spite of all its immigrants. The ruling powers ;:ro 90 per cent. Anglo-Saxon. We are accustomed to «n Anglo-Saxon domination of the world. Wo know how to get along in harmony with her everywhere. We know what it would mean if Germany wero to take England's place, and while that alone would be sufficient cause for our actions, yet that still would be a subordinate consideration. The sentiment, from a purely sentimental standpoint, against seeing England crushed, would be universal, and if that, possibility ever becomes imminent you will find this country in the conflict to the last man. and to the last gun, and I don't think there would be much doubt aboitt the final outcome."