QUESTION-TIME
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR] SLR,—Before the memory of recent events grows conveniently dim, will some champion of the National Government provide me with an answer to the following questions : (r) Lord Runciman was sent to Prague as mediator at the instance of the British Government. Why did the Government not support his endorsement of the Czech Fourth Plan—which there is good reason to suppose had also been accepted by Henlein ?
(2) Why was Dr. Benes not present at the Munich Confer- ence, nor even once consulted personally by Mr. Chamberlain ? Even apart from our friendly relations with Czechoslovakia, it seems remarkable treatment to accord the head of a sovereign State, whose territory is the matter under discussion.
(3) Was it mere obstinacy that caused Russia to be ignored throughout.?
(4) Is it thought likely that an arrangement by which the main line from Prague eastwards now runs through Germany and Poland will remain workable for long ? Does Germany pay compensation for the Doo,000,000 worth of fortifications that fall into her hands " with the existing installations un- touched," or is our English loan to be regarded as con- science-money in this respect ? Should not these and similar considerations have been allowed to weigh against the Anglo-French plan, instead of being thrown in for an international commission to adjust—if adjustment is possible ?
(5) Do we support the principle of self-determination in the case of : (a) The Italian Tyrol ; (b) Alsace ; (c) Pales- tine ; (d) Wales ? If not, why not ?
(6) " By their fruits ye shall know them." What reasons are there to suppose that Herr Hitler intends to adhere to his sworn undertakings better than in the past ? Has Mr. Chamberlain any acquaintance with the doctrines of Mein Kampf ?
(7) The fact that Herr Hitler did not know for certain till last week that England was determined and able to fight if necessary argues a major error in diplomacy. What prospect is there of the return to the Foreign Office of Mr. Eden, who knows the ropes better than this ?
(8) What is the future of the League of Nations, from whose principles and practice we have travelled so far in the last few
weeks ?—I am, Sir, yours faithfully, MERVYN HORDER. 32 Great Ormond Street, W.C.r.
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