ENGLISH-SPEAKING GERMANS Sta,—In reference to the correspondence in your columns
on English- speaking German prisoners in this country, and particularly to the one- third of " Janus's " audience who understood his lecture in English, this is, as pointed out by Mr. J. Turnbull in his letter in The Spectator, October 4th, not surprising, nor does their knowledge of-English reflect, as was suggested by your correspondent, Mr. R. P. Delling, on our education systems. The explanation may be found in the fact that German prisoners in this country have been taught English for over a year. There are now 50,000 registered pupils attending classes regularly and instructed by 1,250 fellow-prisoners proficient in English. Many of them are professional teachers. A couple of thousand prisoners have sat for stiff English examinations, and a high proportion passed. If we add those men who are studying English off their own bat, who are in billets and those who are in touch with English people by reason of their occupation, it would be very surprising.if one-third of " janus's " audience
did not understand English.—Yours faithfully, L. HAMILTON. Authors' Club, S.W. r.
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