14 JANUARY 1949, Page 16

WHAT IS AGGRESSION ?

Sta,—Mr. Vulliamy's letter about war criminals is a very tactless one. Most people reading it will reflect that it is not necessary to go back to Napoleon to find embarrassing examples of aggressive war. For instance, was it aggressive of Britain to declare war on Germany in 1939 ? Those who say no will presumably base their negative on the fact that Gerrikany had previously invaded Poland, a country which Britain had guaranteed to defend. But Russia also invaded Poland at about the same time, and Finland a month or two later. What conclusion, embarrassing or otherwise, does Mr. Vullizmy draw from that ?—Your interested servant, RUSSELL GRENFELL. Campden House, Burley, Ringwood.