31 MAY 1946, Page 13

Sut,—The Dean of Chichester, I feel sure, goes to the

very heart of Soviet relations with the democrccies when he refers to the Kremlin regarding itself as having "the true and only system of human happiness, which must eventually be imposed upon all." Last year in Germany I lived amongst and had direct dealings with the Russians for a month, so that I naturally Speak with reserve after so short an acquaintance ; but I believe that a remark made to me at the time by one of our Military Government colonels is worth recalling. "You know," he said, 'the

trouble with the Russians is that they think they are first cousins to God." The Dean may not agree with the relationship, but he and those who know the Russians well will probably concur that here in a nutshell is the clue to "the pattern of Russian action" which is "now plain to all but the wilfully blind" (to quote Mr. Paul Winterton). I certainly recollect that that observation so vividly clarified for me the officially arrogant, unco-operative and suspicious attitude that the Russians showed in their relations with us.—Yours faithfully, MALCOLM H. McQuEEN.

9 Campden Hill Court, W. 8.