A SPECTATOR'S NOTEBOOK
ANY journal, even a journal of comment like the Spectator, likes to be first with the news. It has been left to the Hon. Edward Martin, Senator from Pennsylvania, to vindicate the claims of this journal in that respect by reading into the record of the Senate an editorial from the Palm Beach Post-Tintes entitled "The British." It is not overwhelmingly complimentary to the British ; many American papers aren't. But it is respectful about Britain's conduct of foreign affairs.
"Indeed," observes the writer of the article in question, "one of my distinguished lawyer friends, a long-time subscriber to the London Spectator, tells me that by reading it he has been able to predict six months in advance just what our State Department would do—the British loan, the , Marshall Plan. the Atlantic Pact, &c."
This recognition of hard facts is in a sense satisfactory, but what with the MacArthur hearing and one thing and another too many secrets are leaking out in the Senate precincts. There was a gentleman's agreement that the long-standing compact whereby 99 Gower Street supplies Mr. Acheson's department with initiative, for a reasonable consideration, should be kept entirely private. These disclosures may spoil everything.
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