PROTECTING BRITISH SHIPS [To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR] Sta,—Politeness
demands I should acknowledge Miss Rathbone's elucidation of her charges against the Prime Minister which she now modifies by suggesting his delinquencies are unintentional. Politicians occasionally perform extra- ordinary feats of mental acrobatics in the pursuit of their ideals, but we may credit the Prime Minister with sufficient common sense to understand when his prestige conflicts with his country's interests, and with the probity to give his own interests the second place.
If Signor Mussolini were the Italian people his words about us might do more than raise a smile, and his deeds disgust, sometimes, and sometimes anger and irritation, but the Prime Minister is aware that the British connexion is worth much to Italians, just as Italian friendship is helpful— and welcome—to us. The Prime Minister surely does well to pursue a policy of attachment to Italy in spite of the vagaries of that versatile genius in Rome.
Miss Rathbone ignores the character of the Spaniards if she thinks that, when their dispute is over, the individuals comprising the Spanish nation will submit to having their attitude towards this country or France dictated to them by Rome or Berlin, or even Russia.
Quien mira lo pasado Lo por venir advierte.
White Rock, Llanymynech, Mont.
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