VANSITTART ISM
SIR,—Mr. Harold Nicolson's comments on Vansittartism in The Spec-. tator of May 8th seem to me to reflect a very dangerous tendency That is the assumption that there are no reasons for the outbreak of the present war apart from the militant and aggressive nature of the German people. This assumption may be correct—I am in no position to judge— but if it is not, and if other factors are ignored in the belief that it is, then, when the peace is made, dragons' teeth may be left .n the ground.
I am not yet convinced that the evidence of Black Record is complete. In 1494 France achieved nationhood, or something like it, in the modern sense. She invaded Italy and roused Europe into war. In 1521 France forced war on Charles V, and a prolonged struggle ensued In 161o, when France again achieved nationhood after civil wars, Henri IV planned his " Grand Design " of aggression, which was only frustrated by his assassination. Under Louis XIV, France again forced war upon Europe in a plain attempt at domination. Under Napoleon France once more made a good bid at world-domination
Now, Sir, is this or is it not a " Black Record "? And yet the French have got over it. Whatever caused their past aggressiveness, it was no ineradicable trait. This must lead one to enquire if there is any evidence that national characteristics are inherited rather than acquired—by up- bringing and environment. I do know that an English child brought up by Thibetan foster-parents learns Thibetan as easily as most English children learn English. What is the evidence that if too German babies were brought up in a Quaker institute, some inherited brutality would cause a reaction against Quaker teaching? It is the " wolf " analogy which seems to me " not proven."
And there is evidence of other causes of .the war besides the hypo- thetical wolfishness, which, unlike that of the French under Napoleon, is fostered by the biggest secret police force and propaganda drive the world has ever seen. The Germans suffered more than " irritation " after the last war, as those members of the allied occupying forces who insisted on the blockade being lifted will recall.
You would be doing your readers a great servh_e if you would ask some historian to investigate the rival merits of Black Record, and Arthur Briant's Unfinished Victory as expositions of the causes of
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