SANCTIONS [To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.]
Sin,—Travelling recently on business in Eastern Europe I was asked frequently, " What is England going to do about sanctions ? " The orthodox reply, " the future of sanctions is not a matter for England but for the whole League " almost always met with derision. I was told " every country in Europe knows what it wants and what its neighbours want— but nobody knows what England wants nor what will be her attitude at Geneva." • Business men in Jugoslavia and Roumania told me how much they were losing in trade because of sanctions, and said it would be worth it if sanctions showed the world that aggression does not pay ; but they did not think England would remain lirm at Geneva. Some said London would be glad to lend money to Italy ; others said England is afraid of Italy.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer is reported to have said that sanctions have failed and should be ended, but the Prime Minister explains that the Chancellor was addressing " a very exclusive and politically educated audience." Has not the time conic when those of us who are neither very exclusive nor, perhaps, politically educated, are entitled to be told where we stand ?
With the aid of gas and bombs the Italians have seized a large part of Abyssinia. Does this mean sanctions have failed ? And, if so, cannot we be told why ? If, as the Chancellor says, " the policy of collective security based on sanctions has failed," can we not be told in plain language who has let us down ?—I am, Sir, &c.,
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