SIR,—May I encroach on your space to make one or
two observations on Lord Winster'S second letter? I cannot agree that I have misinter- preted his original one, or that I have linked him with " Captain, B.L.A.'s " analysis of the soldier's views. I disapproved of the manner of his review of an article, written, as Mr. Harold Nicolson aptly remarks, in discom- fort " under mortar fire." I certainly regret if I gave Lord Winster the impression that I considered he had ever regarded the soldier's mentality as that of " a suspicious, brooding and not very intelligent child." I merely wished to assure him that my experience Las. shown the very opposite to be the case. Indeed, his lordship's second letter makes me believe that he would meet me on common ground in my contention that "the more encouraging picture given by ' Captain 1914-18' is nearer the truth."
I am accused of hardness of heart in my remark about politicians. I fail to understand how this can be counted my own personal view, as I merely referred to the opinion-held by many soldiers. Indeed, it is not proper that as a soldier I should embark publicly orr a political wrangle. Soldiers are not unmindful of what both Houses of Parliament have done on their behalf, thanks, they feel, in no small measure to the unwavering spirit of that splendid band of Service M.P.s. Nor are they, or could they be, unmindful of the Prime Minister's supreme leader- ship, supported by the tireless energy and planning of our military experts. I would merely underline your correspondent Stephen Bagnall's state- ment that to combat the prevalent uneasiness regarding the future, " nothing short of the 'full and gladly undertaken implementation of th promises on which the Services have been fed for the past five years will shake this attitude of doubt."—Yours faithfully,
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