THE BIG TRUTH SIR,—Your leading article in your issue of
November 27th is an admirable exposition of the need for a closer understanding between the people of our country and those of the USA, " The Big Truth still stands. The United States is our sure ally. . . . But it needs to be demonstrated every day."
Many people, Sir, would be prepared to demonstrate it in a most practical manner, namely by visiting our ally and seeing for themselves how much the Americans care for their own freedom and that of the world. But it has not been possible for fourteen years now for a private citizen of this country to pay a private visit to the United States. We talk of the ideals of democracy, of the need for unity .in the western world and of closer understanding, and yet we are denied the elementary freedom of intercourse with our great ally. Nothing contributes more to the
atmosphere of suspicion today in the world than the fact that a barrier stands between the ordinary peoples of the three great powers, Russia, the United States and our- selves. We cannot control the Russian out- look, but surely, despite the dollar problem, some means could be found of allowing us to pay the elementary courtesy which friendship demands, that of going to see our friends.
It is not enough that Sir Winston Churchill can go and see Mr. Eisenhower. It is time that anyone who wants can go and see friends and relatives, can go and discover for them- selves the Big Truth and uncover the Big Lie.—Yours faithfully, G. W. RIDDELL Livister, Symbisier, Lerwick, Shetland
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