The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1927.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1927.

ABOUT U-NCLE JONATHAN. Two English writers, Airs Veronica King and A' Paul King have been making a study of the United States and publishing their impressions in book form. Their first work bore the symbolical title of “The Haven on the Skyscraper.” They have supplemented it with “Under the Eagle’s Feathers,” which is similar in subject and tone. That is to say, while they find, says a reviewer, much to praise in American character and institutions they are, upon the whole, critical. The authors admire the American’s mastery of machinery, but think that ne is less successful in dealing with human material. They admire his enthusiasm for education, although it is not always wisely directed. They admire his good manners. Unlike the Englishman, he does not hiss and boo at a theatrical performance which displeases him; unlike the Londoner, he does not stare and jeer at a person who appears in public, in unconventional garb. However—here, be it understood ,the authors are speaking of Americans in bulk, and not as individuals—bis good manners are not part of himself, a second nature. Americans “will be perfectly delightful so long as everything goes well, but if they are out of health, or in a hurry, or annoyed—away fly all their manners in a moment.” The authors seek to dispel certain delusions fostered h- the English Speaking Union and kinflred associations. One is that the population of the United States is predominantly “English.” It is not. Those of pure English stock constitute a very

small proportion ol tho total. 'I be other is that Americans desire the friendship ol Britain. I hey do not. ) There are iminllnential Anglophile clij (pies, but the vast majority of the people are indifferent. The remainder are. at tho worst, hostile, at the best condescending. A prevalent idea is that Britain is ‘down and out," a hack number, a nation of small account. Her 'solicitude for American susceptibilities is thought to be due to tear, not to courtesy. The mutual attitude of the two countries lias been defined in tile following terms liv Air H. L. .Mencken." who is regarded as one of America’s foremost critics: "The great days of England are obviously done. Her old unchallenged power tends to become no more than a function of American power. She needs and gets our tolerance, but- a certain unbearable patronage goes with it. Hence the old English scorn of the accursed Yankee turns into detestation. AVe arc necessary but abominable."’ Press, screen and fiction inculcate the belief that America won t lie war. Franco was on her knees when the doughboys came to the rescue. Americans recognise only three belligerents and one theatre, the Western. They “actually winced with a sort of nervous misery if one alluded to Gallipoli. .Mesopotamia, and Palestine, and shrank away in consternation at any mention of our navy or our losses on the Western front.” Not only are ordinary persons ignorant about Britain’s part in the war; they do not wish to be enlightened. Ibe author spent some time at Hollywood, saw the picture industry at first band, and have occasion to correct various misconceptions.. THie morals ol the film stars are no worse and no better than those of other sections ol the community. Their calling is too strenuous to allow of unbridled dissipation. For the purpose of advertisement, publicity agents make the most of scandals in their private lives. The citizen reads, is shocked, and goes to the show with whetted curiosity. A"et be himself may be guilty of conduct (piite as irregular as that which lie (RrjTTecates in them. Human nature is a curious thing. The book is interesting if controversial. It suggests that in a country so large as America generalisations. are difficult, if not misleading. A writer’s impressions will be determined by the necessity limited circle with which he comes in contact, and they may have no wide application. It we contrast the picture of America, drawn Lv, say. Air J. St. Loo Strachey, with that presented by Air and Afrs King, we are left in a state of bewilderment. Where and what is the real America ?