THE PRIMATE AND PEACE [To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR]
Sm,—More than once in our island story we have suffered from Prelates who have put power before piety and capitulation before conscience.
Few who have read Mein Kampf, who have noted the advance of the Nazi regime over a path strewn with broken promises, murder of opponents, and the persecution of races and religions, who have heard on the air the screams of rage and hate of Hitler, Goering and Goebbels, can fail to realise that the Nazi regime or at least the policy of its three leaders, stands for what most of us call evil.
In my country village it is my privilege to read the lessons on Sunday in the Parish Church. On October and a Thanks- giving Service for Peace was held as ordered by the Primate.
I told the rector that I could not attend such a thanksgiving
as it appeared. to me highly improper that the English National Church should rejoice over the surrender to and triumph of a regime opposed to everything for which the English Church and nation stands. Nearly all the villagers that I spoke to agreed that our unconditional surrender to Hitler was not a matter
for thanksgiving. • It was not a question of peace or war. War to isolated Germany with the mass of her people eager for peace was almost impossible. Peace might have been retained on the Canton system basis offered by Czechoslovakia and without any loss of her territory.
In fear of a threatened but quite improbable war France and England held up their hands at the bully pointing at our heads a revolver that was out of order.
Surely the Primate's repeated excursions into politics are regrettable.—Your obedient servant,
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