The Dominion TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1918. AN ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 64, 10 December 1918, Page 4

The Dominion TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1918. AN ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION

"Britain's Day" in the United States is much more than a- tribute paid by one great nation to another. In that character, indeed, it will stir every British heart. The free and generous acknowledgment by the American peoplo and its foremost leaders of what the Empire has accomplished in tho war is unmistakably sincere. No one can doubt that when General Pershing says that the war would have been lost hut for the tenacity of the British people ho is saying_ exactly what ho believes, and his utterance is typical of that of his countrymen on the day they set apart in honour of Great Britain. As lpng as our nation endures words like these, spoken by Americans, will be remembered and cherished by its people. But "Britain's Day," as has been said, is much more than an occasion taken by Americans to express their gratitude to the country in which their ancestors saw the light. It is- strongly emphasised by the representative men whose words are quoted to-day —both Americans and Britons—that these celebrations serve their essential purpose in demonstrating the established union .of the Englishspeaking peoples—a' union not the less real though it is affirmed in no treaty or formal understanding. The war which brought so much evil and so many horrors in its train brought blessings also. To the English-speaking peoples it brought a priceless blessing of quickened faith and trust in one another which in years' to come will yield untold benefits not only to the people of the United"States and those of the British Empire, but to the whole world. The dominant note of "Britain's Day" was one of kinship. The core of the matter is touched by His 'Majesty King George in his message to the American Government and people: "I hope Britain and the United States may , always be united as they are to-day."

In regard to the firm foundation on which this hope rests there is evidence from all quarters. It is not in doubt that the years of war have worked wonders 'in bringing the English-speaking peoples into effective union. Before the war they had much in common, but in stress of war they were drawn together in a closer and more sympathetic understanding than in all likelihood would have been created in ten times as many years of peace. The reason plainly is that in the we* the twd nations saw each other tested and not found wanting. It so happened that America did not throw her weight into the scale until the war was far advanced and Britain and the other Allied nations had been desperately tried. But if America entered rate she speedily made it evident that she would shrink from no sacrifice that might be needed to support the just cause of the Allies and carry it to victory. Her delay in making common cause with the Allies is palliated by her tradition of isolation and by the looseness and complexity of her national organisation. Having assumed belligerent status she proved herself at once a nation sound at heart and unflinching in aim and purpose. Her efforts in the domain of industry and in military and naval organisation were marred, as ■such efforts undertaken at short notice always must be', by detail failures, but the aggregate result was a marvel of national achievement. Her hastily-trained soldiers played a gallant part beside the French and British veterans; her fighting ships seconded the unceasing efforts of the mighty Navy which in _ itself has made the name of Britain for ever glorious. In many other ways she helped the Allies where help was most needed and most welcome, and they have freely proclaimed that her aid was indispensable. Upon the 'United States -as well as upon Britain and other nations the war imposed an all-sufficient test, and to this largely must be attributed the 'developed union of the Englishspeaking races which standß out today as perhaps the greatest of all the great results of the war. So far as this union and its possibilities are concerned what the war has done for Britain and the United States is to eliminate or overshadow such differences in outlook as have been born of separation and divergent development, and to give the freest play to the underlying sentiments and instincts which aro the common heritage of both nations. The facts wore admirably stated by Mr. Balfour when he addressed American newspaper men some weeks ago in London. After declaring his belief that the "Eng-lish-speaking method of looking at the great affairs of mankind" was of infinite value to the freedom and progress of the world he added:

That [union] can only be accomplished if there be nn inner harmony, inner affection and inner regard between the elements of all tho great English-speaking communities. ... If there was or could be any doubt that such a union'is right and is fruitful for the good of the world, if there could have been any doubt that that union of hearts was not destined to bo permanent, those doubts would surely be dissipated by tho events of the last few months. .Nothing after all binds closer together than the consciousness of great deeds done in common, great acts of heroism performed side by side, great services to humanity carried out with brothorly co-operation. That consciousness, all of us have in (he highest measure. That consciousness will grow and history will embalm it. It has become part of our national and international traditions. It will make happior, easier, and far more glorious that union which we exist to promote; that union which is based upon a mutual respect, a common love or freedom, a common opinion, common laws, and a common literature.

Emerging from the war the Allied nations are faced by problems of which no easy solution is possible. The League of Nations and freedom of the scas_ as yet are- aspirations only, and it is impossiblo at, this stage to say whether means will bo devised of making them ■ concrete realities. But whatever the futuro may hold the developing union of the English-speaking peoples makes unquestionably for the reign of peace and justice in the world. It hinds two great nations in closer ties than those of any formal aliiance, but it is innocent of any taint of selfish purpose or predatory object, and offers no threat to any other nation. During the war both Britain and the United States have been brought into the most intimate relations with many nations great and small, above all with France. Far from imposing any restriction

on these international friendships the English-speaking union which is taking shape with so much promise ofters the best conditions for their development. It is strong today, and will dovelop, in proportion as the sentiments that prompt and make it possible are pure, and tend to the welfare of all mankind.