19 SEPTEMBER 1970, Page 25

The pop generation

Sir: In your leader (5 September) you write: 'These youngsters, who profess to believe most of all in personal liberty, are ready to side in practice with the most illiberal and puritanical tyrannies the world has ever known. In the cause of peace they shout for the victory of a ruthless military regime in South-East Asia ..

To which 'ruthless military regime' do you refer? That which is supported by Pre- sident Nixon? I think not, for the adjective 'puritanical' could hardly be applied to the corrupt regime of South Vietnam. So I assume you are accusing the Pop Genera- tion, with some justice, of sharing the views of Senators Fulbright, McCarthy and Kennedy.