SIR,—I am doubtless one of many who must disagree with
your view that the invitation to the Russian leaders to visit Britain in April should stand. Since these leaders have gone out of their way to slander the dead as well as the living, the question boils down to one of national self - respect. Our Government should inform the USSR that arrangements for the visit cannot proceed until a public with- drawal of the slanders in question has been made. The official view that a short visit to this country can do something to modify either the Russian attitude or their policies seems unrealistic. On such a visit, if it occurs, the Russians cannot be relegated to a high tea laid on by the Editor of the Daily Worker; they will have to be entertained by the nation on the grand scale. Consideration should be given to the predicament of the Royal Family and of others whose duty it will be to enter- tain de facto enemies who have deliberately and with maximum publicity vilified our ways and our record. These representatives of Britain will have the hard choice between rudeness and hyprocrisy. Abroad, the im- pression will grow that Britain has lost her self-respect and is prepared to buy Communist good will—a non-existent commodity—at the price of her own servility.—Yours faithfully,
E. F. G. HAIG Norfolk Cottage, Eversley, Hants
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