[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR] SIR,—I noticed the first
point made by La iy Violet Bonham- Carter in your issue of November 4th as soon as I saw the article in print. Had I seen it in proof I should have made it clear that" forty years "referred to parties, not their spokesmen.
It is not possible to compare 1914 and 1938 in terms of military preparedness. My strong impression is that the three services are better prepared for war now than in 1914. The panic fear of universal destruction from the skies, fostered by undue emphasis on the perils of gas and insufficient interest in emergency shelters, is a new feature in our urban life—a direct consequence of the refusal of many local authorities until the last moment to take the action desired by the A.R.P. Depart- ment. The civil servant quoted by Lady Violet cannot defend himself. Because I therefore refrain from comment I do not wish it to be supposed that no effective comment is possible.
I agree with Mr. W. T. Wells that the Fates have dealt us a strong hand ; though I have little faith in our" ingrained habit of spontaneous organisation."
In reply to Mr. E. M. Gull, I do not favour extension of Japanese control in Shanghai or anywhere else in China, but we may be unable to prevent it.—Your obedient servant,
Previous page
