GERMANS AND AUSTRIA SIR,—In your last week's issue, " Janus
" complains that the Sunday Times is not kind enough to some Germans aria Austrians who, in the guise of refugees from Nazi oppression; openly conduct Pan- German propaganda in this country. On behalf of many Austrian patriots, I should like to state that the liberation of Austria, as in- cluded by the Prime Minister among the war aims, is such a basic prerequisite for a future peace and for the safety of our Czech and Polish allies, that any questioning of it can only be considered as one of those sinister and well-organised activities which are aimed at weakening the war effort. I should not like to think that " Janus " or indeed The Spectator—of which I am an admirer and subscriber —should become the innocent instruments of this racket. We Austrian patriots who can claim to represent the vast majority of our countrymen at home, have no patience with surreptitious or open Pan-Germanists. We are in full agreement with the views ex- pressed in the Sunday Times leader. The sooner a certain under- ground Pan-German whispering campaign is stopped, the sooner Austria will be able to take her place as an ally among the other victim nations of Nazi, nay of German aggression.—I am, Sir, yours [" Janus " writes: What the Sunday Times criticised was the negative statement " We do not wish to be identified with any movement for the restoration of Austria." If that is all " Pan-German propaganda " amounts to it will do no one much harm.]
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