AMERICAN VISITORS TO ENGLAND.
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sri,—With reference to the striking and most constructive article by Mr. Evelyn Wrench, in your issue of January 20th, may I point out that the London Association, which started its work in the early part of last year, has undertaken the tasks which Mr. Evelyn Wrench has so ably pointed out as vitally necessary for the commercial and social development of relations of the English-speaking Peoples. The London
Association has been conducting for some eight months past a thoroughly organized propaganda campaign throughout the United States and Canada on the unique amenities and attractions of London and of England. This campaign has been carried on, day in and day out, throughout the Press of North America.
The London Association was started originally by-a small group of London business men, who believed that, as a vast amount of propaganda had been put out by French and many other interests for some years past in the United States to obtain the cream of the cross-Atlantic traffic, it was high time for sound commercial reasons, apart even from other reasons, for London business interests first to go out to get their share of the traffic, and secondly to increase and foster the travel of merchants and visitors to London and to the United Kingdom in every possible way. A great deal about -this work of the Association is unknown, as by its very nature it is working in the American Press, and its work is not of an obvious nature. Support for it has grown considerably from many of the chief business interests of London. Should there be any commercial interests who are not yet in touch with us who may read this letter, and who are interested in doing increased business, and seeing an increased number of Americans visit England and spend their time and money on this side, I shall be very glad if they will be good enough to communicate with me.
It was estimated by the United States Passport Department that more than 205,000 Americans visited Europe last year, and that they spent 250,000,000 dollars. Apart altogether from the politics of the English-speaking peoples, on which this must have a very great influence, the London Association believes that it is sound business to get as much of this business as possible, and that is its principal work.—I am, Sir, &c., R. TEMPLE
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