17 SEPTEMBER 1954, Page 6

Bisect and Rule ?

We blame ourselves in retrospect,' said the distinguished diplomat wearily, for creating too many new nations after the First War. It certainly led to a great deal of trouble, but it gave considerable satisfaction at the time. The modern expedient of cutting old nations in half—Germany, Austria. Korea, French Indo-China—is no fun for anybody and seems to lead to just as much trouble. If not' (he added) more