AMERICAN TRIBUTES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16466, 19 June 1919, Page 7

AMERICAN TRIBUTES.

TO BRITAIN AND FRANCE,

THE GREAT EFFORT THAT WON THE WAR. Mr. A. C. Wilcox, managing director >f the firm of Crawshaw, Wilcox and Co., Ltd., who returned to Sydney by the Sonoma on Tuesday, from a seven months’ trip to England and America, was impressed with this fact while in America: That the better typo of American feeling distinctly recognised the preponderating claim of Britain and France to the credit foi 6- having finally brought about the end of the war. “It is perfectly true,” remarked Mr. Wilcox, in an interview yesterday, “that America’s moral support was very great; but, as I have said, the best American feeling recognised clearly that it was the tremendous effort put forward by France and by Britain that was really responsible for the -victory. A gentleman in San Francisco put the case very clearly to me. Ho said; T wish you had been at a dinner at which I was present last night. This was about a fortnight after the signing of the armistice. One of the speakers said lie hoped that President Wilson, who was then just about to leave fox* Europe, would recognise the efforts of France and of Britain, and consequently, it was added, they should have the preponderating say as to the final conditions of peace.’ My informant stated that this sentiment was cheered to the echo by the very large company present. And that is not quite an isolated case. On trains and in steamers, generally privately and occasionally in public, that same sentiment was very clearly expressed; I have no hesitation ' in saying that the best type of American feeling is quite along these lines. In Britain there is nothing hut the kindliest feeling towards America, and that feeling is reciprocated by the best thought in America. There is a growing appreciation in America of the wonderful moral strength which England displayed when in August, 1914, she threw all her weight into the war.” Mr. Wilcox saw President Wilson in London in December - last. President Wilson was at the time driving into Buckingham Palace with the King, and, along with his Majesty, had a magnificent reception. ENORMOUS RISE IN WAGES. “Ti - ade generally in the United States is very good,” said Mr. Wilcox, in reply to a further question. They have their labour unrest there-just as we have it, and just as they have it in Europe; hut the outlook is good. Prices are bound to be high both in England and in America. The fact that there is no sign of a general drop in prices is easily explained. Take the British railway bill, for instance. Roughly, in pre-war times the railwayman’s wages totalled 47 million pounds in England. War bonuses increased it by 55 million pounds, making 102 million pounds. Then there was the eight-hour concession, which added 25 million pounds, so that, as against a pre-war wages bill in this one direction alone of 47 millions you have to-day a bill of 127 million pounds. That is merely typical of the general trend of rising wages, and it is equally true of the great industries of France. * How can prices come down in face of this, and in view of the world shortages, to say nothing of the legitimate demands of Central Europe as soon as peace is declared?”