Letters to the Editor
[In view of the length of many of the letters which we receive, we would remind correspondents that we often cannot give space for long letters and that short ones arc generally read with more attention. The length which we consider most suitable is about that of one of our paragraphs on " News of the IVeek."—Ed. SPECTATOR.
" LA SECU RITE "
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—Your issue of August 22nd contained a letter from a Mr. It. G. Walmsley ; it demands a retort ; I venture to hope that the hospitality of your columns will not be denied to an obscure Frenchman. As the reply to all your correspondent's allegations—in his special pleading—would occupy too much of your valuable space, I will confine my comments to the main points. It would appear that he has forgotten the Frankfurt Treaty, which, as an instance of German magna- nimity, leaves something to be desired. Does Mr. Walmsley remember that the occupation of French soil by German soldiery went on until the uttermost farthing of the " Indem- nity " was paid without cavil or chicanery ? France had given her signature, under extortion—but she honoured it none the less. Would your honourable correspondent assert that the two cases are parallel ? It is a matter of notoriety that Germany never fully complied with the military and/or financial clauses of the Treaty of Versailles. Nevertheless, when France generously granted mitigations, such as the anticipation, by five years, of the evacuation of the Rhineland, she was "byway of acknowledgement" faced with other prepos- terous demands and covert threats.
The quotation from the Stahlhelm of July 13th referring to the German blood spilt to " free the Poles from the oppression of Tsarist Russia " is a tragi-comic assertion—the Poles were, in fact, between the Devil and the deep sea.
And lastly, it is perhaps not the duty of this country (who has usually abided by the treaties she has signed) to persuade France to submit to the bullying of Germany and her sup- porters.—I am, Sir, &c.,
AN OBSCURE FRENCHMAN.
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