Ilh am Letters Trouble in Africa B. J. Hayhoe, Guy Clutton-Brock,
Stephen Omoding Ariko
Frost at Midnight Herbert Kretztner The Fourth of June Sir Denis Brogan Insults and Images Clive Barnes The Cure for Crime Kathleen J. Smith, Discord from Paris Derrick Sington Mr. Wilson in 'Gallery' John Burns 'Panorama' Sir Hugh Greene Agents and Patients A. R. Colmer.
Fair Voting Enid Lakeman Avuncular Advice to Mr. Wilson H. D. Sills Jim's Day J. C. Maxwell The Psyche Unchained Robert Gittings TROUBLE IN AFRICA SIR,—Lord Salisbury's defence of his position on African affairs is unconvincing. Clearly he must accept his share of responsibility for Ghana's inde- pendence and if, to use his own analogy, at a later stage he abandoned the field of action when the going became tough, I do not see that this is necessarily to his credit.
Of course, it required courage for Mr. Macmillan's Government to pursue a policy in Africa which avoided the dangers of either another Congo or an- other Algeria. It is relatively easy for Lord Salisbury to stand on the sideline and predict disaster, but it is surely special pleading to quote the recent tragic hap- pening in an ex-Belgian colony as evidence in sup- port of his views. Let him give us the casualty figures for Algeria. Let him describe the misery and chaos that resulted in that country when the metropolitan power, as he says, stood firm.
But Lord Salisbury, 'perhaps understandably. makes no attempt to justify his excessive and out- dated paternalism. For one who has held high office in a Conservative Government to write. 'They have always been governed and they preferred it that way,' about many of the new electors in Africa is bad enough, but to believe that this is also true in' Britain today, shows how far removed from reality he is.
Even in his criticism of Mr. Macleod and his col- leagues in Mr. Macmillan's administration he returns to his paternalistic approach. His derisive reference to throwing 'the reins over the horse's head' reminds me of Lord Malvern's remark on racial partnership in Central Africa—the partnership between a horse and its rider. No wonder the Federation did not suc- ceed!
How sad it is that Lord Salisbury did not retire gracefully from active political life some years ago. His recent pronouncements can only be welcomed by Britain's enemies abroad, and by the Conservative Party's opponents (and perhaps the Monday Club) at home. Too late now to retire gracefully, but please, Lord Salisbury, not too late to retire.
B. J. HAYHOE
326 South Lambeth Road, SW8
B. J. HAYHOE
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