A CHANGE OF HEART

If it is generally true that a prophet is without honor in his own country, Mr. Otto H. Kahn of New York must be an exception to the rule. In his letter to the London Times, written in the spirit of promoting good will between England and the United States, he has endeavored to reflect the psychology of the American "men in the street". By pointing out that the attitude of the average citizen "toward Europe has gradually become one of disillusionment and retrospective questioning." Mr. Kahn has apparently bit the nail squarely on the head.

At a time when members of the Entente were practically fighting for self-preservation, the Americans declared war for the sole purpose of preserving certain inalienable neutral rights. In this somewhat idyllic role they were welcomed as allies; and by supplying money and men rendered invaluable aid in defeating the Central Powers. But the glamour of idealism has begun to wear off. Confronted by the inadequacy of the League of Nations; by the somewhat high-handed apportionment of the various mandates and former colonial possessions; the every-day American feels that European and domestic interests do not coincide as well as has been proclaimed. To the suggestion that the United States cancel its war loans as a contribution to the common cause, the tax-payer remains obdurately opposed, inasmuch as he has nothing to gain from the spoils, he feels that he has already given his share.

The war has left the American nation in a relatively more prominent position than ever it held before; yet leadership such as it--in a world exhausted by years of struggle holds little attraction for far-sighted men. The United States will hardly be content to assume the inconspicuous place it held formerly in international circles. But its citizens are coming more and more to believe that it is time for them to o their own gait, devotion their energy to recuperating by industry what the war destroyed.