SIR, —" Gunner's " letter on morals and morale in B.A.O.R.,
published in the Spectator of February 25th, will have aroused the interest of all who read it, especially those in Germany. But I feel that a slight elucidation of some of the points which he raises is needed. The question of moral standards in B.A.O.R. demonstrates with astounding force the-value of a good home and family upbringing. For life in Germany, as in all places which are far from home and where somewhat abnormal conditions prevail, is life under a magnifying glass. Thus the difference in the behaviour of those who have received a good home upbringing and those who have not is demonstrated far more clearly than in England. " Gunner " complains—and with justicethat the sufferings of the German people fail to enlist the interest of the average British soldier. But surely the corollary to that is that, were the troops shown—as so far they have not been shown—some practical effect which their interest would have, that interest would swiftly become more manifest.
As to the question of sale of goods to the Germans for marks, there is, I feel, another side not mentioned by " Gunner." In Hamburg, for. instance, there are about three so-called shops at which the soldier can buy—all of them possessing a single counter and a few shelves. These shops are of the poorest quality, and delight in purveying expensive lighters, while neglecting to supply such necessary items as torch bat- teries and collar-studs. Such articles of everyday use are in the German shops in abundance. The official rate of exchange is 13i marks to the pound, a rate grossly unfair to the British. The alternative to obtaining a few marks by selling to the Germans at a reasonable rate is perpetual pestering of one's family in England to send things out, which involves extremely heavy pottage. The authorities in Germany should surely take the step of providing an optional and restricted issue of marks in lieu of pay at a more favourable rate than that at present prevailing. That would go a long way to eliminating the so-called black market.—I am, Sir,
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