WOMEN DIPLOMATS
Sin,—Generalisations about human beings are always boring, even when they spring from the accomplished pen of Harold Nicolson. When Mr. Nicolson urges me to realise " that of all public functions, Diplomatic functions are those for which women are least well adapted," the state of the world makes me wonder whether Mr. Nicol- son is right in claiming that " the impartial, imperturbable and a trifle inhuman man " is in fact the Divine Diplomat. Is it possible that though he knows a great deal about diplomacy, he does not know very much about women? When the time comes, I trust women will not be selected for any Medusa-like qualities, but for such attributes as men like Sir Cecil Spring-Rice, Lord Rennell and Lord Dufferin possessed. They were all great diplomats, who will be remembered for their human and endearing qualities of kindness, sympathy and charm, combined with high intellectual ability.
The problems of marriage, climate and local prejudice were all dealt with in detail at the Deputation to the Foreign Secretary last September. In spite of the fact that during war-time no permanent appointments are made in the Diplomatic or Consular Services, Mr. Eden is prepared to consider applications from women as well as men for temporary posts of the administrative grade in the Foreign Office. In addition, he is ready to agree to regard the Report of the 1934 Committee (which reported against women) as no longer necessarily being the last word, and to consider, after the war, he appointment of a committee which would not be restricted to the Civil Service, to consider the question again in the light of existing conditions.
Lastly, I believe in trying to see beyond the fields we live in, and in endeavouring to catch a glimpse of those broad plains our children will traverse. When the day of victory comes and the peacemakers assemble, I hope, in spite of Mr. Nicolson, our rulers will determine that in the future women will be allowed to co-operate on equal terms with men, to work for that solution which will enable nations to live in peace. May it not be said of these same rulers Its n'ont Tien appris ni rien oublie (also Talleyrand, Mr. Nicolson, please note).—Yours
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