3 MAY 1935, Page 19

ENGLAND AND THE TSAR

[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] SIR,—In your issue of April 19th Mr. E. F. Benson states that the British Government withdrew their offer of an asylum hi this country for the late Tsar of Russia and his family. He goes on to say that it appears certain that this was entirely due to internal political considerations in England, and implies that it was on account of the Labour Party that " this kindly man " was left in Russia.

Let us look at the facts. On March 21st, 1917, the Russian Foreign Minister said " he would be most glad if our King and Government would invite the Tsar to take refuge with them." An invitation was telegraphed on March 22nd. By March 24th thellUssian Foreign Minister was wavering in face of internal opposition to the Tsar leaving. On April 9th Kerensky informed our Ambassador that until they had completed examination of the documents they had seized the Tsar could hardly be allowed to leave.

On April 15th our Ambassador telegraphed his own doubts as to the wisdom of allowing the Tsar to come to England, and by this time it was clear that Kercnsky's Government were not prepared to let the Tsar leave. Sir George Buchanan has left it on record in his Memoirs that " our offer remained open and was never withdrawn."

Mr. Benson's attempt to lay the fate of the Tsar at the door of the Labour Party appears, curiously enough; in an article extolling the Crown for its frank and sincere cordiality " and lack of " any sort of bias " where that Party is concerned. It is fortunate for the country that the Crown does display a less Dodoesque mentality than does Mr. Benson who cheerfully distorts history to suit his own prejudices.—I am, your

obedient servant, R. FLETC IIER. Fivewents Way, Crowborough, Sussex.