Transcribe
Translate
W. Earl Hall World War II stories, 1944
Letter #44
More information
digital collection
archival collection guide
transcription tips
slug-Britishers Know-4 By W. EARL HALL Globe-Gazette Managing Editor Letter No. 44 London--(Air Special)--With more than a little anxiety the people of this little island are peering into the economic and political skies to determine if they can what lies ahead of them after Germany and Japan have been crushed in this war. Of only one thing are they absolutely certain. They know that Britain's role in the world scene is not going to be the same as during the century before World war I--or even World war II. For one thing Britain is going to face east to a Europe which is essentially changed in its political makeup. Whereas in the past there has been, at least roughly, a balance of power, in the new Europe, Russia is going to be dominant. Under the balance of power arrangement, Britain has always been able to cast the deciding vote by throwing its political or military strength to one of the nations figuring in the balance of power. All of this is to be "out the window" in the future. Britain is confronted with the stern necessity of setting her sails to deal with a Russia-dominated continent across the 23 mile stretch of water which has saved England from invasion. Elsewhere in the world too things are happening which will profoundly influence the future of Great Britain. By the nature of things, she has been forced to carve out her prosperity from world trade, particularly with those lands associated with her first as colonies and, more (latterly?), in the British commonwealth of nations. It may be, of course, that when the shooting is over, India, Egypt, Australia, Hong Kong and all the other places tied to the United Kingdom will go back exactly to their old status. But it isn't likely--and Britishers are realists. Along with all this is the cold, uncompromising fact that the world's financial capital is no longer London. It's New York--or maybe Washington. Most of the world's gold is buried at Fort Knox, Kentucky. This financial gravitation to America got under way during the last war and it's been progress in the 25 years between the 2 wars. Now it's a fact accomplished, and the British know it. While self-containment may not be a wise course for the United States, it has certain aspects of plausibility. America is a land of great territorial expanse and possessed of perhaps 95 per cent of the nation's food and industrial necessities. But the policy of self-sufficiency for this little island would be an invitation to national suicide. Under war's impact, England, Wales and Scotland have provided about 70 per cent of their food requirements by tilling nearly every acre of arable land. To continue this program on a long-range basis would consign the British to a much lower living standard than the one to which they are accustomed. A corollary vital fact is that the raw materials needed for Britain's highly developed industrial economy are not available here. Only one important product, coal, can be had in ample quantities. These are the things which are causing anxiety among the British as they look forward to the peace. They are keenly conscious of the fact that if there's to be a rebuilding of the thousands of homes destroyed by enemy bombs, there must be an expanded participation in world trade. Many, of course, take a gloomy view of the future. Some even see the British empire at sunset. But that isn't the typical point of view. If Britishers had been the kind of people who give up easily, they wouldn't have carried on against hopeless odds after the fall of France in 1940. Winning their place in the sun over a period of three centuries was no Sunday picnic assignment. They have their sleeves rolled up for the new challenge facing them in our changing world. -- 30 --
Saving...
prev
next
slug-Britishers Know-4 By W. EARL HALL Globe-Gazette Managing Editor Letter No. 44 London--(Air Special)--With more than a little anxiety the people of this little island are peering into the economic and political skies to determine if they can what lies ahead of them after Germany and Japan have been crushed in this war. Of only one thing are they absolutely certain. They know that Britain's role in the world scene is not going to be the same as during the century before World war I--or even World war II. For one thing Britain is going to face east to a Europe which is essentially changed in its political makeup. Whereas in the past there has been, at least roughly, a balance of power, in the new Europe, Russia is going to be dominant. Under the balance of power arrangement, Britain has always been able to cast the deciding vote by throwing its political or military strength to one of the nations figuring in the balance of power. All of this is to be "out the window" in the future. Britain is confronted with the stern necessity of setting her sails to deal with a Russia-dominated continent across the 23 mile stretch of water which has saved England from invasion. Elsewhere in the world too things are happening which will profoundly influence the future of Great Britain. By the nature of things, she has been forced to carve out her prosperity from world trade, particularly with those lands associated with her first as colonies and, more (latterly?), in the British commonwealth of nations. It may be, of course, that when the shooting is over, India, Egypt, Australia, Hong Kong and all the other places tied to the United Kingdom will go back exactly to their old status. But it isn't likely--and Britishers are realists. Along with all this is the cold, uncompromising fact that the world's financial capital is no longer London. It's New York--or maybe Washington. Most of the world's gold is buried at Fort Knox, Kentucky. This financial gravitation to America got under way during the last war and it's been progress in the 25 years between the 2 wars. Now it's a fact accomplished, and the British know it. While self-containment may not be a wise course for the United States, it has certain aspects of plausibility. America is a land of great territorial expanse and possessed of perhaps 95 per cent of the nation's food and industrial necessities. But the policy of self-sufficiency for this little island would be an invitation to national suicide. Under war's impact, England, Wales and Scotland have provided about 70 per cent of their food requirements by tilling nearly every acre of arable land. To continue this program on a long-range basis would consign the British to a much lower living standard than the one to which they are accustomed. A corollary vital fact is that the raw materials needed for Britain's highly developed industrial economy are not available here. Only one important product, coal, can be had in ample quantities. These are the things which are causing anxiety among the British as they look forward to the peace. They are keenly conscious of the fact that if there's to be a rebuilding of the thousands of homes destroyed by enemy bombs, there must be an expanded participation in world trade. Many, of course, take a gloomy view of the future. Some even see the British empire at sunset. But that isn't the typical point of view. If Britishers had been the kind of people who give up easily, they wouldn't have carried on against hopeless odds after the fall of France in 1940. Winning their place in the sun over a period of three centuries was no Sunday picnic assignment. They have their sleeves rolled up for the new challenge facing them in our changing world. -- 30 --
World War II Diaries and Letters
sidebar
