LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
[In view of the 'japer shortage it is essential that letters on these pages should be brlet. We are anxious not to reduce the number of letters, but unless they are shorter they must be fewer. Writers are urged to study the art of compression.—Ed., "The Spectator."I
AMERICA AND THE WAR Sin,—In the illuminating article which appeared in your last issue, Mr. John Perry Wood wrote: "Probably the people of the United States generally are opposed to the sending of expeditionary forces abroad." This is not to be wondered at, and no Englishman who remembers Munich can blame the Americans for their reluctance to offer their own sons, unless and until they are convinced that only by this sacrifice can American freedom be saved. "However," Mr. Wood continues, "there is much that we might have done, and still can do, without the sending of a single American soldier abroad," and he suggests that "if Britain and France furnish their men for the battle- fields, we, at least, can supply them credit to purchase what they need." There is even something more than that : those Americans who believe that the Allies in Europe are indeed fighting for the freedom of the world and for a decent future may feel that to lend money at interest and to supply material for profit are inadequate contributions to the common task. Would not such Americans be more at ease in their consciences if their country voted a substantial sum for the supply of the necessities of war, to be offered free to the nations, great and small, who are now shedding their blood and lavishing their treasure to stem the tide of barbarism?
Americans may feel that the present struggle is due in part to lack of vision and errors of policy on the part of Great Britain and France, and there are many over here who would agree with them ; but, if we are to allot responsibility, even the U.S.A. must acknowledge its share. Whatever the causes, the fight is on and must be won, and just as there is in varying degrees a common responsibility for it, so it requires a common effort to bring it to a successful conclusion.—Yours, &c.,
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