International: Jack to Max

In his Chicago Daily News (never to be confused with the anglophobic Tribune), Publisher John S. Knight addressed a blunt open letter to British Publisher Lord Beaverbrook. Its subject: the U.S. people’s opinion of the British war effort. Knight’s verdict:

“Frankly, Max, they are dubious.”

The Beaver, marshaling facts & figures in rebuttal, promptly replied in an open letter to “Dear Jack.” Beaverbrook’s verdict: absurd, my dear fellow.

About the time of D-day in Europe, said Beaverbrook, Britain had 11% of its population in the forces; the U.S. had 85%. War casualties of the British Commonwealth at the end of May totaled 1,427,000, compared with American casualties of approximately 986,000 at the same time. (U.S. totals as of last week: 1,060,030.)

“You may rest assured,” said Beaverbrook, “that we have no intention of reserving the defeat of Japan to the Americans. We share the duty.”