BRITAIN'S INTENTIONS
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] Sta,—As one who missed active service in the last War, but remembers quite enough of its incidental horrors, its dis- comforts and above all its drabness not to wish to see history repeat itself, remembers, too, that several years of talk and expectancY preceded the conflict, it becomes increasingly clear that the 1914 situation is indeed approaching in Europe. The ingredients are sickeningly familiar. A potent Germany, hungering for land, a distracted and alarmed France, an incalculable but certainly unreliable Russia, disturbed Balkans. The difference is a stronger Italy, and war in Spain and the East, conditions in themselves certainly not tending towards a general peace.
It seems clear that, as far as England is concerned, the more plain we make our intentions the better. It is now well known that, had she been sure that we should declare war in August, 1914, it is doubtful, to say the least, whether Germany would have attacked Belgium. Germany, Italy and the rest still do not know precisely what would make us fight. We have heard unofficial opinion from America recently as to the circumstances in which that vast country could be drawn into war. An unequivocal statement on the part of our own Government might well bring a pronouncement of more weight from the United States.
Recorded once for all in black and white, the intentions of the two great English speaking races could give no excuse for misunderstanding, and an aggressor would surely think twice before crossing their path. Such an announcement seems the only reasonable safeguard against the almost muddled entry into 'War for which we seem to be gently drifting.— Your obedient servant, OLIVER WARNER. The Old Manor Cottage, Haslemere.
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