ON HATING AMERICA [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sfa,—The small percentage of English people who are able to visit the United States for the most part return enthusiastic for Anglo-American amity and co-operation. And why should they not ? They spend a few weeks among the small per- centage of United States citizens of broad and tolerant views ;. they are most hospitably entertained and hear only friendly and congenial views. But they don't meet the great mass of the plain people of the towns, villages and farms between Atlantic and Pacific, the voters whO elect the politicians, and who decide the question of peace or war. Canadians have lived next to these people for a century and know them inti- mately by social and business contact. The Canadian knows that the average United States citizen is either densely ignorant or indifferent to most truths regarding England and the Empire and is steeped from infancy in the traditional hatred of England as the unnatural mother from whom the Colonial child (now the exalted Superman of the world) with much gallantry and bloody sacrifice wrested its freedom.
Do not misunderstand the attitude of Canadians ; we are as anxious to promote friendly international relations as you, but we think you are going about it entirely the wrong way. The instinctive hostility of the United States to the English is based upon two primary causes : the Revolutionary War and trade jealousy. You will never earn the good will or respect of the United States by making concessions or kow- towing—you will onlY earn its derisive contempt. You were told that if you gave Home Rule to Ireland the United States would graciously forgive and forget ; but no sooner had Ireland got Home Rule than other grievances cropped up : opium, Prohibition, rubber, War debts, oilfields, the Anglo-Japanese Treaty, disarmament, English rule in India, Egypt—anything for a pretext to feed fat the ancient grudge. To Canadians, John Bull appears to be afraid to move hand or focklirithout first anxiously considering whether his actions will ptesse or offend Uncle Sam. And it amuses Uncle Sam to watch the once portly John Bull, with one eye upon the United States, fidgetting about nervously just as it used to amuse the cowboy to see the tenderfoot dance in the bar-room whilst he emptied his revolvei close to the feet of his unhappy victim.
Do not deceive yourselves in England ; the United States will alwayatnanage to find a grievance against its old foe, the Enilish race. The more you give the more will be demanded of you. Canada is more oe less approved of by the complacent Yankee because he says, " Oh, well, you're practically Ameri- can, anyway—though we can't understand why you Canadians want to stick to that played-out old Monarchy, England 1 " And if the exasperated Canadian retorts, " Rot ! England's all right I " his contemptuous Yankee critic counters, " Don't take my word for it—read what the English writers and speakers say of their own country."
I wish I could depict adequately the humiliation and dismay with which Canada beholds the Motherland's abject and vain efforts to conciliate the United States by making obeisance and concessions. The only way for England to gain the respect of the United States and to promote international good will is to place British interests first and uphold them vigorously—that attitude alone does the United States understand and respect. Canadians are wearied and puzzled by England's apologetic attitude toward the United States, this continual bending low, with bated breath and whispering humbleness. Let us see once more the sturdy, self-reliant England of our youth, to whom we looked up with affectionate respect—the familiar old England full of confidence and assurance and pride in its world leadership. It has been suggested that Canada's function in the Empire could best be' that of a liaison offices to act as interpreter between England and the United States. If so it is high time for a little candid speaking upon the part of Canada. My point of view may be contradicted and criticized, but I am simply telling you what• is the private opinion of ninety per cent. of the Canadian people.—I am, Sir, &c., ANGLO-CANADIAN. [We have been obliged to shorten our correspondent's letter.—En. Spectator.]
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