18 NOVEMBER 1938, Page 42

THE ITALIAN EMPIRE

[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR] SIR,—The Anglo-Italian agreement, which brings about the recognition of Abyssinia as part of the Italian "Empire," illustrates the profound and bitter truth of that maxim of La Rochefoucauld : " There are some crimes which become innocent and even glorious by their boldness, number and excess; thus it comes about that public theft is called ability, and to seize provinces unjustly is called making conquests."— Yours faithfully, JOHN GLOAG.

3 The Mall, East Sheen, S.W. r4.