[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sm,—After reading your article, " The Real Cleavage," coming as it does on top of your other comments on the political situation published since the General Election, I have begun to wonder whether the Spectator must now be regarded as definitely Socialist. We all wish to see the new Government get fair play, but I think you are much less than fair to the Conservative point of view and to the record of the late Government. You have the highest praise for all Mr. Mac- Donald's appointments, but further you imply in most cases that the new Ministers will be a vast improvement on the old. Is not this a change of front, with a vengeance ? It seems significant that you make all possible excuses for the action of Sir W. Jowitt, about which Mr. Lloyd George's word " nausea " reflects the opinion of, I venture to assert, most members of the British public.
Your statement that " the workers ' at least in the indus. trial districts voted solidly for their own people " is abso- lutely at variance with the facts, for it cannot be denied that almost as many workers voted Conservative as voted Labour (not to mention those that voted Liberal). In any case you will agree that voting by class is to be deprecated.
You appear to give no credit to the Conservatives for their devotion to progress since you say they " have been forced along the road of democracy and progress." This is dis- heartening criticism to those supporters of Mr. Baldwin who honestly believe they have been sincerely working under him for true progress. I observe that you do not even give the Conservatives credit for supporting " rationalization." Above all, I feel sure that many of your readers will object strongly to your description of the Imperial policy as " short- sighted." Surely your enthusiasm for the League of Nations has carried you too far !—I am, Sir, &c.,
Dumfedling, Dumfriesshire. WALTER D. ELLIOT.
[We recognize that there is a considerable progressive element in what is called the Conseryatiye-Unionlst, Party. The record of the last four and a half years, however, is there to show that their influence is pot sufficient to set the course of the Party in the direction of progress. The recognition of
this was, we believe, the decisive factor which swayed the electorate, and not any polemics for or against Socialism. We hope to return to this subject, and to clear up any possible misunderstanding of our views.—En. Spectator.]
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