SIR,—The present mood of anxiety and frustra- tion in the
country expresses itself in odd ways: some of it is humorous, some of it is ominous. This last week, for instance, I received through the post three letters: two of them were anonymous, one of them was libellous and all three were sent to the wrong address. All three, for that matter, assumed I was one of two other people : either the editor of a Sunday newspaper (in the pay of Mr. Foster Dulles) or, alternatively, a dis- affected Conservative Member of Parliament (more or less in the pay of Marshal Bulganin). One of the writers was, I am relieved to say, affected by a twinge of conscience. After vilify- ing me for two pages he (or was it a she?) added at the bottom : 'or are you quite mad?'
At a time of crisis such as this the ethics of anonymous letter writers, or the compara- tive lunacy of any particular individual (Sir Anthony Eden excepted), seem to me to be a matter of little consequence. What is inter- esting, though, is that the tone of these letters reflected the mood of a good deal of opinion publicly and privately expressed in the country. 'It is cowardly and unpatriotic,' was the theme of one writer, `to criticise the Prime Minister at a time when he is showing such conspicuous courage,' as well as shouldering such heavy responsibilities.' This sentiment, in this context, conjures up a picture that might in certain lights appear humorous: an apoplec- tic member of the Primrose League, half Colonel Blimp, half Colonel Poole. David Low, at his penetrating best, would have added the touch of realism which would also have suggested the words 'half-witted.' The mood portrayed has, however, a more dis-
concerting aspect. The sentiment expressed is also the stock-in-trade argument of the dic- tator, Fascist or Communist. It is the totali- tarian view : 'down with criticism; there's always a good reason for stifling it.'
Whatever view any of us take of the Government's action in invading Egypt we must all agree that it was a momentous deci- sion. It invoked matters of great principle. It was a decision which will affect the reputation of our nation for generations to come. It may conceivably be affecting the very existence of the Hungarian nation at this moment.
Under these conditions party loyalty, an important side of our political life, seems a matter of secondary importance. 1, for instance, unwilling to shield behind the cloak of mistaken identity, might consider it 'cowardly and unpatriotic' to continue, osten- sibly, to give Sir Anthony Eden, my support. I might believe most passionately that his policy can do the nation and the Western bloc nothing but injury. At the risk of appearing to take myself too seriously I would add that I not only might, but that I do.—Yours faithfully,
MICIIREL ASTQR
31 Brompton Square, SW3
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