The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 1921. ANGLO-AMERICAN COOPERATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 July 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 1921. ANGLO-AMERICAN COOPERATION.

The lecture recently delivered by Lord Bryce in London on the influence of the English-speaking nations on the welfare of the world, was a notable contribution to one of the most serious problems of the age. No public man of the time is so well fitted to present in its true light and bearing a matter of such immense importance, not only by reason of his intellectual gifts, but by reason of his training and practical experience as professor of civil law at Oxford University, and as British Ambassador at Washington. As a scholar, statesman, diplomatist, classic writer, and a particularly keen observer, Lord Bryce may justly be regarded as one of the foremost men of his day, so that his opinions deserve more than ordinary weight and respect. His great faith in the power and influence of the Eng-lish-speaking peoples may well be shared by the citizens of the British Empire and the great Republic of America, for it rests on a foundation of unbounded strength and is capable of developing a power sufficient to control the world and “guide the feet of all mankind into the way of peace.” It may be noted that at the Premiers’ Conference Mr. Hughes (Australia) expressed his approval of Mr. Lloyd George’s statement that “friendly co-operation with the United States is a cardinal principle, dictated by what seems the proper nature of things, by instinct quite as much as by reason and common-sense.” At the same time, Mr. Hughes appears to be extremely sensitive over the question of Canada being diplomatically represented at Washington, and is credited with being antagonistic to the Canadian Premier’s policy in this matter on the ground that it shows a marked bias towards America. Possibly Mr. Hughes’ views may have been misconstrued or not placed in their true light, for it would be deplorable if a matter of this kind were to become a serious controversy when it is most desirable that unity should prevail. Australia is not such a close neighbor to America as is Canada, nor are the relations between the Commonwealth and the United States so closely linked as must inevitably happen where Canada and America are concerned. If Caiiada considers it beneficial to have an ambassador at Washington, that, surely, is her affair, and can in no way either add to her status or detract from the status of Australia. The question is one that should not be considered from any other point of view than the cementing of ties of friendship. It is repellant to all the canons of British justice and freedom to assume, or even for a moment to think, that Canada’s action is governed by a desire to obtain any special advantage over any other unit of the Empire by having a diplomatist at Washington. Far more desirable is it to view this policy as a stronger link of mutual goodwill, for it is impossible to credit American statesmen with any ulterior motive that might prejudice any of the other Dominions in their dealings with the United States. Lord Bryce rightly takes a wide Imperial view that the co-operation of the English - speaking peoples would create an influence which, if properly directed to the same ends, would make a bigger difference in the world’s progress than any other influence, in the development of intellectual and moral sympathy, rather than in formal alliances, which are often unstable and sometimes excite suspicion and jealousy in other nations. Even on ordinary grounds this view is incontrovertible, but in the light of America’s fixed policy to abstain from all international alliances, the soundness of Lord Bryce’s contention cannot. be disputed. What, the world needs, if it is to enjoy the blessings of peace, is a recognised guiding influence that is above suspicion, and this can only be created by a bond of unity between the. English-speaking peoples. There are, it must be admitted, differences of temperament, outlook, and even policy that would have to be adjusted before a complete and effective co-operation between America and the Empire can be brought about. Above all it is desirable to avoid

all feeling of jealousy. It cannot be expected that such a beneficent scheme as that outlined by Lord Bryce will spring up between sunrise and sunset; it must be, well and truly planted, carefully tended, and unceasingly fostered, before it will bear fruit. The welfare of the world is in the hands of the English-speaking nations, hence the immense importance of that sympathetic co-operation, the object of which is “to guide the feet of all mankind into . the way of peace.”