7 JANUARY 1949, Page 21

WAR CRIMINALS

SIR,—The waging of aggressive warfare is now, very properly, regarded as a crime. It would be interesting to conduct a retrospective historical survey or trial of those who (in the view of modern judgement) were cer- tainly eligible for hanging. There could be no doubt, for example, con- cerning the fate of Napoleon, had he lived in these days of justice, mercy and enlightenment. Other names, not less illustrious, will occur readily to the student of historical events if he can overcome the embarrassment of such an investigation.—Yours faithfully, C. E. VULLIAMY. West Horsley, Surrey.