18 FEBRUARY 1944, Page 2

Historic Buildings and War

The debate initiated in the House of Lords on Wednesday by Archbishop Lord Lang on the bombing of historic buildings led. and could lead, nowhere. It is a misfortune that war should raging in a country as rich as Italy is in "objects of special or cultural value," and every possible precaution should be taken to avoid injury to them. President Roosevelt has made it clear that every possible precaution is being taken ; military necessity must be paramount, but military necessity is not to be confused with military convenience. The war must be won and won in the shortest time possible that human lives may be saved by its shorter - ing. That is the only conclusion possible.