Hasty words, I think!--and, in my belief, very wide of the mark. At any rate I may plead that during my own month in France I have been in contact with many leading men in many camps, English, French, and American, and both military and diplomatic, especially with the British Army and its chiefs; and so far from perceiving in the frankest and most critical talk of our own people--and how critical we are of our own doings those know who know us best--any sense of lost prestige or weakened power, my personal impression is overwhelmingly the other way. We are indeed anxious and willing to share responsibilities, say in Africa, and the Middle East, with America as with France. Why not? The mighty elder power is eager to see America realise her own world position, and come forward to take her share in a world-ordering, which has lain too heavy until now on England's sole shoulders. She is glad and thankful--the "weary Titan"--to hand over some of her responsibilities to America, and to share many of the rest. She wants nothing more for herself--the Great Mother of Nations--why should she? She has so much. But loss of prestige? The feeling in those with whom I have talked, is rather the feeling of Kipling's _Recessional_--a profound and wondering recognition that the Imperial bond has indeed stood so magnificently the test of these four years, just as Joseph Chamberlain, the Empire-builder, believed and hoped it would stand, when the day of testing came; a pride in what the Empire has done too deep for many words; coupled with the stubborn resolution, which says little and means everything--that the future shall be worthy of the past.