SOPHISTRY -AND STATESMANSHIP
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,-li is some comfort in the bleak outlook of the day to read your outspoken and yet measured criticism of Sir John Simon's recent law lecture to Germany. As you say, there is no longer any excuse for doubting what British public opinion stands for : a fair deal with Germany. The only doubt is whether British public opinion will find authoritative and clear expression before it is too late, i.e., before German patience and discipline is so far destroyed that the more violent elements get the upper hand, Germany breaks away from the League of Nations, and the whole disarmament movement goes up in smoke and gas. Since your article appeared ominous signs have been given in France of a fresh attempt, prompted no doubt by armament interests, to frighten people into drawing back from any serious dis- armament measures. The well-known fact that preparations, both legal and illegal, go on in Germany for the future war which the breakdown of the League of Nations will restore to the category of coming events, is being worked up into a mystery with a " secret dossier " in the usual style ; and M. Herriot, who like some other leaders of broad human sympathies but insufficient single-minded tenacity of principle, seems to run away from his opportunities, is once more holding up any progress by reviving the hopeless proposal of a League Army. On the other hand, evidence accumulates of the growth of pacific tendencies among the French people ; and it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that if Mr. Ramsay, MacDonald could free himself from the tangle of home politics and go and see M. Herriot, the two of them might appeal to the real wills of their respective peoples to tear through all the intrigues of the armament interests and the finesses of the smaller politicians, and to offer the German population not only a plain and fair deal, but even the right hand of fellowship and mutual peace.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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