alliance with France. But it came at a moment when France had just
been thwarted by Great Britain in her European policy. Moreover, it
was not inspired by either the people or the Government of England.
France understood this. "The Times" also has been developing the idea
of Anglo-American friendship, and that has made more progress there.
The many titled American women in England naturally desire it, and
collectively they have considerable power. Most American writers in
England and English writers in America work for it.

"If we can't run together, we of the same blood and of the same
tongue," says Sinclair Lewis, to a literary club one June night, "let's
give it up. Let's cry off altogether and admit that we are all a lot
of savages."

The English masses are indifferent to the idea of alliance. The real
opposition to it is not in England, but in America where Anglophobes
abound. There are more haters of England in America than in the
countries of Europe--more lovers also. Both are sensitive, and the
game of mortifying one another goes on.

Germany, Czecho-Slovakia, Serbia, Hungary, are more eager for a
constructive friendship with Great Britain, and indeed generally
speaking Europe needs England more than America needs her.

There is one slight exception to the general apathy, and that is the
abandonment of anti-Bolshevik hate, and the signing of a trading treaty
with Russia--a long-delayed fruit of common sense. Russia is in a
desperate plight, and we cannot live by what she yields alone, but it
will help. But if we can shake hands with Bolsheviks why not with
Germans? It is curious that despite the strong sympathies for Germany
in England there is no public move for a friendly understanding between
the two powers. Pro-Germans are still a little afraid of the
war-epithets and abuse. Commercial travellers in their quiet way are
steadily placing orders for cheap German goods all over England, but
there is no effort to exploit the situation to the mutual advantage of
English and German. Alone Sir Reginald MacKenna, the chairman of the
London City and Midland Bank, in a remarkable speech to the
shareholders and directors indicated our astonishing passivity. The
war has brought Germany low, and the lower she goes the more dangerous
she is to the rest of us. But no one will face it. If we did resolve
to face it we should find many Germans ready to co-operate and give
help in exchange for help. The lo