CZECHOSLOVAKIA AND THE WEST
" British workers would never make war on the Soviet Union," and
certain evening papers' here have added that "Russia possesses the atom bomb," a piece of information I could not possibly have. When an
incidental talk given to a group of people in English is translated into Czech by an interpreter in a broad, general way, when this is retrans- lated back into English, and when sentences torn from their context are
quoted, the stage is well set for misunderstanding. What I did say was that I believe that British economic policy was making economic recovery increasingly dependent on American finance. Later, in discussing what an atom war might mean, I remarked that I would be surprised if the U.S.S.R. did not possess some atom bombs by this time. Finally, after telling them something of what this country had stood up to during the last war, I remarked that I did not see any inclination on the part of British workers to enter an atom war against the Soviet Union. It was eiven as a personal opinion and I stand by it.
May I be allowed to add this, after a fortnight's careful study of the Czech situation and after conversations with Czechs of all classes and all shades of political opinion? Any honest attempt to understand what is happening in that country must begin with an appreciation of the following facts: (i) The effect of Munich on the attitude of the Czechs to the West. (ii) That for six years they were under the heel of the Nazis, and that everywhere in Prague one sees wall-plaques showing where men were shot by the Gerinans. (iii) That British-American policy with regard to the rebuilding of the Ruhr has created consternation among all classes, believing as they do that-this is the beginning of a new aggression from Germany. (iv) That the Czechs do not believe that the U.S.S.R. has anything but pacific intentions, and so have nothing to fear from that country. These are the factors that induce the great majority of the Czech people to fear private political intrigues with other countries, regarding them as a source of danger to their security It is undoubtedly from this that the present Government draws its mass support. The Czechs are a people very like the British, and I have never been in any country in which such a large proportion of the population speak English and in which one receives such a warm welcome from all classes. I consider that a great disservice has been done to both peoples by the fantastic picture that has been drawn of the situation in that country.—.
Yours faithfully, H. LEVY. The White House, Stoke, Andover.
[Professor Levy was not quoted by Janus directly at all. The words used were " Professor Hyman Levy is credited by Ceteka with having stated last week . . ." and " It would be interesting to know whether Professor Levy was accurately reported."—En., The Spectator.]
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