24 MAY 1935, Page 17

THE FOREIGN SECRETARY [To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] SIR,

—I notice that your Parliamentary Correspondent, with his usual antipathy to the Foreign Secretary, is again trying to queer the pitch for him. I am convinced that what he says regarding the attitude of the House towards him does not represent the true position. The suggestion that Sir John Simon is responsible for the recent worsening of the interna- tional situation is most unfair. His policy is the policy of the Cabinet as a whole, and the Cabinet—not Sir John personally.— is responsible. No Foreign Secretary has been more careful to consult the Cabinet week by week. Criticism of the Cabinet's Foreign policy comes only from the extreme Left and the extreme Right, and they largely cancel each other out. The great majority of members are content to leave the day- to-day negotiations on Foreign affairs in the hands of the Cabinet, who, with all the facts before them, are the only people in a position to judge. Faced with unprecedented difficulties, Sir John has shown remarkable diplomacy and tenacity of purpose, and still retains the full confidence of the rank and file of the National forces.

Your correspondent, in fomenting distrust and suspician, is doing an ill-service not only to the Government but to the country in its international relationships. "Trust the men at the wheel " is as good advice today as it was in the Great