6 DECEMBER 1940, Page 5

Various American papers have expressed relief rather than distress at

the news that Mr. Joseph Kennedy is not to return to London as American Ambassador—and American papers are often right. Mr. Kennedy was in some respects an unusual diplomat. On the day he left England finally, a telegram addressed to the editor of this journal by name reached The Spectator office. It ran as follows: Tried to get you unsuccessfully on telephone cannot leave England without personally thanking you for your many kindnesses to me during my stay, and it is with real regret that I leave England.—Joe Kennedy.

It was a warm-hearted message. The odd thing is that the recipient, it so happened, had never had the fortune to meet Mr. Kennedy, or even so much as see him, during his stay in London.

* * * *