A GRIM PICTURE

Hokitika Guardian, 29 January 1920, Page 2

A GRIM PICTURE

AMERICA MISUNDERSTANDS. VISCOUNT BRYCE’S VIEWS. (By Electric Telegraph—Copy right. > LONDON, Jan. 27. Viscount Bryce has contributed an article to the Anglo-American supplement of the “Manchester Guardian,”, discussing the question whether America realises the condition 'of present day Europe. Bryce states that allowances should be made for the embarrass- i ments which beset the Peace Conference -was for discordance of views; for the atmosphere of revengeful passion; for incessant press influences, and for complexity of pro-* blems, but he contends whatever allowances must be made, the conference fail ed to solve the problems presented to it. He considers there are no elements of stability in the settlement. Indeed new causes of strife have been super-added to existing ones. The indemnities and reparations are excessive especially as regards Austria. Bryce, eloquently describes the appalling material condition

of Europe maintaining its mental condition is no less alarming. Britain is only beginning to realise how her own welfare is involved, while the American people have not yet wakened to the facts of the position. Viscount Bryce addq that the truth is the world has now become for good or ill one community in which if any member suffers, all suffer. He emphasised the apparent aloofness of America is due to the want of knowledge, not’to a want of sympathy. The picture of Europe as seen by Britain is veiled from Americans bv tiie mists of the Atlantic. He points out that it took America many mpnths to realise the causes of the war, and he is not surprised that the post-war conditions of Europe are not immediately realised, although American idealism and sympathy could not be doubted.