4 MAY 1951, Page 18

A Defender of Culture

Sm,—Janus, in making a gibe at the Communist speaker on the American threat to British culture, has- reacted in a near-Fascist manner to the emotive stimulus of a Jewish name. For all we know, Mr. Aaronovitch may be as British as Janus himself ; and if he is not, does foreign birth disqualify him or anyone else from commenting on British culture ? Janus should remember that publicity of the kind he has given to the Communists in this week's Spectator's Notebook can only serve the Communists' own purpose.—Yours faithfully, LUCY BERRYMAN. 28 Cranbrook Drive, Whitton, Middlesex.

[Janus writes: In point of fact no question of anti-Semitism crossed my mind ; "-vitch," is not, so far as I know, a Semitic termination.]