A SPECTATOR'S NOTEBOOK
THERE is obviously something to be said both for and against the acceptance by British Universities of the invitation to attend the 550th anniversary of the founding of Heidelberg. But after studying all the arguments set out in various letters to. The Times, particularly in a singularly cogent communication from Sir Charles Grant Robertson, the Principal of Birmingham Univer- sity, I rank-myself definitely with those who oppose acceptance; The fundamental fact is that 44 members of the Faculty at Heidelberg have lost their positions and their livelihood for racial, religious or political reasons. They have been dismissed by the University itself. Delegates from British Universities cannot in decency go to Heidelberg and condone this, but neither could they in decency accept Heidelberg's hospitality .and make any public protest. The decision is difficult, for Germany desires English friendship and some influence might be exerted on her leaders in consequence. But they are far more likely to be impressed if the English .Universities decline to go to Heidelberg and explain firmly but courteously why. If delegations were sent their presence would inevitably (as always happens in Germany at present) be turned to the advantage of the National Socialist regime. * * * * The publication (by the Sunday pictorial) of the first instalment of Lord Haig's own story of Passchendaele makes one thing cleat. A very substantial volume will be needed for an objective study of the Haig-and- supporters' version and the Lloyd George-and-supporters' version of the political and military and politico-military developments of the years 1917 and 1918. The question is who is competent to write it ? All the men with ,established reputations are partisans of one side or the other already.. The task offers a great opportunity to some post-War student of war and politics to make himself a considerable reputation.
* * * * On the first night of the O.U.D.S. production of Richard II many recognised Max Beerbohm in the stalls. He was paying one of his rare visits to the theatre to see his wife, Florence Kahn, as the Duchess of Gloucester. When I go to the theatre I go to enjoy acting rather than to satisfy my sense of the picturesque, and for me the excitement of the evening was her amazing performance. She gave the play an intensity of life, a richness of emotion otherwise lacking. Lovely and decorative were the costumes and the setting of Motley ; and unfor- tunately the producers, John Gielgud and Glen Byam Shaw, appeared to have used all their energies on scenic effects, and had none left for the training of the young actors. Still, it was a pleasure to hear Shakespeare's lines spoken as poetry ; it was a pleasure to watch Mr. King-Wood's Richard, modelled on the gracious portrait in the Wilton diptych, and when he Was quiet his acting had promise of grater accomplishment. The O.U.D.S. deserve praise for inviting Florence Kahn to help them ; in this they show their appreciation of a superb actress.
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The News Chronicle has, I think, made as good a choice as was open to it in appointing Mr. Gerald Barry to its vacant editorship. The day of great editors may or may not be past. Very few editors are masters in their own house (if a house can be said to be theirs which is usually someone else's property) today, and without freedom there can be no greatness. The News Chronicle, as its name indicates, sprang from an amalgamation of the Daily News and the Daily Chronicle, and since Mr. A. G. Gardiner left the News and Sir Robert Donald the Chronicle neither jiaper, nor their joint offspring, has had an editor of comparable personality. Mr. Barry, with the advantage of youth and a good record as editor of the defunct Week-End Review, starts with much- in his favour. But both Mr. Gardiner and Sir Robert Donald resigned their posts for good reasons, and conditions in Fleet Street do not get easier. * * * The law of libel in this country may be sound or un- sound, but it has considerable terrors for publishers, among others, and they seem conscious of it. In these days of expansive reminiscences that is not pethaps surprising. Within the last week or two quite' a number of volumes on the eve of publication, and already sent out for review, have been hastily withdrawn by the publishers in order that some " misstatement of fact " may be corrected. One was the collection of Arnold Bennett's letters to his nephew. The last Arnold Bennett volume resulted in an action which gave heavy damages to an author who claimed to have been maligned in it ; the impugned pas- sage in the new book raises a curious question, but no doubt it is prudent to excise it. Dame Laura Knight's memories, Oil, Paint and Grease, has also been recalled at the last moment for readjustment. And Cock Sparrow— the autoblOgraphy of Mr. Oliver Bernard—is back in dock after having all but taken the water. In this case believe a review had already appeared. In relation to my note on Mr. G. A. Morrison's problem last week I appreciate the courtesy with which a number of correspondents have clothed the expression of their conviction that I am no' mathematician. Let us make no bones about that : I am not. I never have been. I quite certainly never shall be. There is a general consensus' of opinion that my first conclusion—El, or, if you will, 4s. and a 16s. pair of boots—was right, and my second thoughts ill-advised, as second thoughts so often are. I -would only observe in extenuation that Mr: Morrison, who aired the question in the House of ComnonS, said he had had eleven different answers to it, including one (inaccurate) from a member of the Government. -
What Can't?
• " Mr. Will -Hays, the United States film . industry's censor, has forbidden the screen production of Mr. Sinclair Lewis's novel It *Can't Happen Here."—Daily Herald New York COrrespondent. _ . • - ,,* * " A' number 'of convicts at Colorado State prisOn.. were perihitted on Friday to' watch' the execution; by lethal gai'of Otis Melianiels, sentenced to death for Murder: . The 80-year-Old murderer- fought 'desperately against the death-gas, with the reSult that nine and a half minutes passed before he was certified 'dead." Daily Herald
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