[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR] SIR,—With reference to Mr.
Powys Greenwood's interesting letter, I should like to ask him if he thinks the Jewish pogrom was a " major false step."
Whilst agreeing that peace between Germany and England is essential if European civilisation is to be saved, it is, of course, necessary that that civilisation should be worth saving. It is important for us to understand present-day Germany and their rulers, for it is equally important that present-day Germany should understand us.
The letter by " A German Landowner " illustrates what I mean. In referring to the Jewish persecution he states that in the past " Governments have not failed to put the interests of the nation above the abstract conception of justice." True. But the Spanish Inquisition and the Massacre of St. Bartholomew are execrated today none the less, and I venture to think that the German Jewish oersecution will have the same fate reserved for it. Ordinary people can understand the argument that the German people had no power to stop their Government, even though they felt humiliated by the brutality blazoned to the world. But the people of Great Britain do not understand the German who says that his Government " had to put the interest of the German nation above the abstract conception of justice."—Yours, &c.,
;r Swan Court, Chelsea, S.W. 3. K. M. WALKER.
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