OUT OF THE EAST AND THE WAY BACK
SIR,—While in Malaya (including the West Coast from Pontian to Perlis) I did meet scores of con- scientious British, some speaking passable Malay.
But the whole essence, of my article was to stress that very few indeed are even remotely conscious of either the feelings, the sensitivity or the aspirations of those Asians among whom they live, by no means in discomfort.
To the trade union movement, the political parties, the students; to all expressions of an awakening people, I found them shockingly indifferent. They still see Malaya through a gin glass darkly, in terms of what dear Rajas may have said in courtesy to Europeans twenty years ago, and from the same politeness doubtless said to Japanese generals twelve years ago.
Sir, it is truly tragic that after our experience in Shanghai, Abadan and Suez even a man of the calibre of Mr. Walker, with long experience and a dis- tinguished record, does not appreciate the perils of this spiritual apartheid.—Yours faithfully,
.14 Great Ormond Street, WC1, GEORGE EDINGF.R
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