6 JULY 1944, Page 14

UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER

SIR,—Last week's otherwise inspiring leading article contained a plea that Mr. Churchill's February declaration (about unconditional surren- der) " could with advantage be elaborated." Surely history warns us of the danger, in dealing with the German mentality, of providing their future leaders with any pre-surrender pronouncement for them to mis- represent in years to come. It is, moreover, arguable—as it is even about President Wilson's fourteen points—whether any elaboration would have any influence on shortening the war.—Yours faithfully,