22 MAY 1941, Page 13

GERMANY AFTER THE WAR"

Sm,—May a reader ask W. H. Dawson to explain and amplify a phrase in his letter: "The date was 1936, the year when Hitler ceased his long and vain efforts for disarmament on equal terms and for the amelioration of the lot of German minorities . . ." Does this mean that only after 1936 Germany began the military preparation and provision which reached the state of readiness for the campaign in 1938? And with regard to the lot of minorities, what is suggested for their special consideration and treatment, especially if they are hostile to the country which shelters them? Every land has its minorities. Even the German " Tourists " rapidly form a minority and require attention. But we should like to understand W. H.