The annual celebration of Fourth of July gives us 2 pleasant opportunity of offering to our American fellow-residents the good wishes of the British community. Those wishes are certainly not the less sincere because of little differences that may have arisen during the past twelve-month. The world has been and still is a trifle out of joint. Nerves have not wholly recovered from the strain of the years of war; and discussions, the inevitable pare of peace adjustment, have, between all nations, developed irritabilities which in more normal times would never have arisen. But these things are only to be mentioned to-day because we are sure they belong to the past and can wholly be regarded as such. The great factor in the world's outlook to-day is that all men are absolutely agreed that the coming age is to be a better one, richer in freedom, justice and equal opportunity for all, than that which is past. And the fundamental cause of differences is that as yet we are not all quite agreed as to how the air shall be realized. But in no country are those ideals which are the essence of all ambition more deeply reverenced and sought for than. in the United States. This is the answer to all the wrangling and maneuvring of politicians about the League of Nations. It is ridiculous to doubt that America will ultimately partake in the League' as fully and enthusiastically as the ardent nature of her people can make her. For the same spirit that brought about Independence. Day works also in the League. and the American people may be trusted not to lag behind where that spirit calls.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.