I WAS incensed to read the letter from William F Long of Texas ('Questions of Ignorance, May 18). Mr Long should cure his own ignorance by learning that the Americans came in to the Second World War because they were too complacent to foresee the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbour.

Until then the US had contented with itself supplying us with a collection of old ships and obsolete weapons at extortionate prices.

The US abandonment of the global warming agreement shows a similar arrogant selfishness as it contributes more than its faire share of global warming.

The result is that the city I love is slowly drowning in American excesses.

C Mary Wreghitt,

St George's Place, York.

Updated: 10:40 Thursday, May 31, 2001