23 DECEMBER 1916, Page 12

CAPTAIN BLAIKIE.

[To THE EDITOR or THE " SPECTATOR."]

Sre,—A suggestion has been put forward which I have not seen mentioned in the. Press, and perhaps you would advocate it if it appeals to you. As it is hopeless to vie with the Germans in reprisals and brutality to prisoners, let our Government (now we have one) make it clear to Germany that if any harm is done to Captain Blaikie we will when the opportunity arises (no matter how long hence) shoot one of the German idols—a life for a life. The idol may be the Kaiser, or Hindenburg, or any one at the discretion of our Government; but the point is that it must be some one at present over there in Germany and not one of the prisoners now