[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR] Snt, — A morning and an
evening paper of different political complexions both assure me that the " plan ." agreed on between Mr. Chamberlain and M. Daladier is complete surrender to Hitler. Not only is the Sudetenland to be ceded to Germany, but Czecholovakia is to be compelled to sever her alliance with Russia with the object (for what other is conceivable ?) of placing her wholly at the mercy of her new " guarantors." I suppose it must be true. I am still rubbing my eyes, as I am one of those who had retained the 'belief that there were depths below which this country would not sink. I now see that the abyss
is bottomless. "
Hitherto I have not been a pacifist, but I take it that for every Englishman who is also a Christian the pacifist case is henceforth proved. It must be the duty of a Christian to be willing to die ; it may be his duty to kill (even by modern methods) in order that wrong may not prevail. To flatter violence, acquiesce in fraud and aid extortion for the purpose of avoiding these evils and afterwards to face up to them in the cold cause of self- preservation may be the instinct of an animal. Only a lunatic could imagine it to be his duty.—I am, Sir, yours, &c.,
OwEN BARFIELD.
16 Buckland Crescent, Swiss Cottage, N.W. 3.
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