PROTECTING BRITISH SHIPS [To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR]
SIR,—It may be true, as you say in your footnote to Mr. J. W. Armour's letter, that you cannot defend a ship lying along the quay at, say, Valencia, without defending Valencia.
But is that a reason why.the ship, if British, should not have British protection ? Is not Britain under an obligation to protect her nationals to the full extent of her power, provided they are not engaged in an unlawful pursuit ? Are British subjects never to be protected if there is a risk of hampering a third party in activities which are contrary to international law ?
Let Britain do what common sense, self-respect and justice demand, and if a Spanish port is indirectly benefited' thereby, so much the better for that port.—Yours faithfully, Charing, Kent. H. A. ARCHER.
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