GUNS AND CARBOHYDRATES [To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.]
Sta,—In his .moving article " Guns and Carbohydrates " Mr. Michael Spender draws a picture of a most important aspect of present-day life in Germany, which apparently escapes less observant visitors.
" Malnutrition is extensive " he says, and quite rightly he points out that it would be futile to rejoice at " the difficulties consequent on a political system with which one disagrees." Yet, for some reason, he does not draw the logicil conclusion of his own admission, namely that Germany is a victim of her preference of guns to butter. Instead of that, he makes a most staggering allegation that an attempt is being made by the world outside " to starve Germany into good behaviour." At least that seems to be the obvions inference of his concludin; remarks.
With all respect to your contributor, such a contention is utterly absurd. There is no need to appeal to the world to refrain from such a course of action because no country, or group of countries, could possibly be so wicked or so stupid to attempt any such thing.
I forget who originally coined the phrase of Germany's " self-encirclement," but if today the Germans are suffering from a shortage of food or any other political and economic difficulties (apart from the general ones, of course, afflicting us all) these are entirely of their own creation.
According to official German statistics there was an export surplus in 1936 of no less than 55o million marks, or 45 million pounds sterling ; that is a very handsome amount, and with it Hitler could have easily provided the Germans with all the food they require. In fact, there would even have remained a balance enabling him and Dr. Schacht to do something for Germany's long-suffering creditors—were it not for the fact that the idea of honouring their country's obligations seems profoundly abhorrent to both these gentlemen. Moreover, Germany is now spending one thousand million pounds a year on arma- ments ; with half that amount she would still be a good starter in this suicidal race, while the other half would be more than adequate for meeting all the peaceful requirements of the German nation.
If they prefer to spend all they have got, and even that which they have not, on war preparations—that is their own look-out ; but the rest of the world can hardly take the blame for it. The situation was admirably summed up in a recent article in The Banker, which said :
" Herr Hitler must reap what he has sown, and his nuisance value must be discounted in his own disillusioned country and not in the City of London."
In other words, the Germans cannot get away with " getting the cake and eating it " ; the world would be a happier and safer place if they made up their mind to eat, which they easily can do !—I am, your most obedient servant, GEORGE SOLOVEYTCHIK.
Savage Club, r Carlton House Terrace, London, W. r.
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