pa,---1 read with some surprise Mr. Pickthom's sensational article Inter-
ional Youth in the Spectator of September 9th. I, too, was one of the ten thousand young people in Budapest, but, no doubt because I am finable to boast of eyes as " reactionary " as those of Mr. Pickthorn—I paw no tommy-gun in Mr. Riikosi's car—my experiences were somewhat different. It is interesting to learn that Mr. Pickthorn's friends, all of whom expected another war and most of whom hoped for one, were staunch supporters of King George II and black-marketcers ; but it is a
feat pity he did not speak to some of the more ordinary citizens of idapest. I spoke to many, both anti-Communists and supporters of the Fegime, but did not fir.d one who expected, much less hoped for, another vevar. In the last war Hungary suffered more than England did She Was under German occupation. Hardly a village in the country did not become a fighting-ground. Mr. Pickthorn and his friends can talk lightly Of returning with the British Army. In my view, such talk is criminal lunacy.
Mr. Pickthorn states that " a number of British Colonial students refused to take part in a demonstration in favour of national independence because they did not want independence under the Hammer and Sickle." I was myself one of the British Colonial students in Budapest, but I know of no 'ouch refusal. Furthermore, I think it would be true to say that all the Eritish C,olorial students who were at the Festival fervently desire the national independence of their countries ; and that most, though not all, of them, seeing no difference between Labour and Conservative colonial 'policy, look to the British Communist Party for support in their -struggle for independence.—Yours sincere!y, CHRISTOPHER BIRCH. Victoria Rooms, Bristol, 8.
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