2 SEPTEMBER 1938, Page 20

CRITICISM OF GERMANY [To the Editor of Tim SPECTATOR] SIR, — The

anxiety of some of your readers lest the Germans take umbrage at the " strong " language expressed in The Spectator is astonishing in view of the fact that the German inspired Press is extremely vituperative, pouring out filth and abuse here, there, and not infrequently upon the British themselves ! We Americans are not so timid about voicing our opinions nor is it necessary for us to cringe before the dictators. On the few occasions when the Nazis have been so ill advised as to object to well-warranted criticism by our

citizens, Washington has reminded the Reich that the United States enjoys freedom of speech.

Freedom of speech is very important in the world today and it is the duty of every right-thinking person to express his views if humanity is to survive. I fully agree with Sir C. H. Robinson that The Spectator is " performing an admirable service " in criticising the orgy of sadism indulged in by the Reich. That the Nazis are sensitive to public opinion is amply attested by the frenzied care they take to keep the German populace ignorant of what the world at large thinks of them. For it is a fact that the success of Nazi domination is due in part to the lack of education and information which makes the people of Germany so susceptible to propaganda. And it is Dr. Goebbels himself who admits that the power of the Reich rests on propaganda.—Very truly yours, 353 West 57th Street, New York City. F. J. WALLACE.