GOVERNMENTS AND DISORDERS
SIR,—Your article "Governments and Disorders" in The Spectator of December 8th is most opportune, and shows how distressing is the state of affairs in liberated countries. I wonder if in our adherence to demo- cratic principles we are hastening too quickly to establish self-government in these countries. When the Get mans are driven out of occupied terri- tories it is essential that law and order shall be established immediately, otherwise chaos, lawlessness and fighting between different national sections will break out.
Is it not an obligation on the three Great Powers to establish that order? If so, I suggest that the Allies should act together, for unless they can do so they had better not act at all. This is part of the building of peace, and it is imperative that in Greece, Poland and all the liberated countries there should be the same united action in this matter as in the war. Arms and ammunition should be entirely under the control of a properly constituted Government -and until this is possible the Allies ought to accept the responsibility of maintaining order and looking after the welfare of the liberated peoples.
A year ago this problem was faced and an organisation was set up, viz., the Allied Military Government of Occupied Territories, which is called AMGOT. This organisation was established for the specific purpose of meeting this situation, with the definite provision that as soon as a proper National Government can be set up AMGOT will hand over. Alongside this organisation UNRRA—United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration—was established to provide food, clothing and other vital necessities for the starving people. I suggest that the Allies should act with courage and determination to make these two organisations function. They both touch the immediate need of the people and will go far towards solving one of the most complex and difficult problems that face the world now and during the next few years.—Yours truly,
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