The War in the Commonwealth
SIR,—I1 is rather depressing that someone as eminent as A. L. Rowse should take so naive a view of the India-Pakistan situation. Surely he does not really believe in the fantastically simplified analysis he gave in his letter—that Kashmir is dominantly Moslem, therefore Nehru should have allowed a plebiscite to take place? No other complications, Mr. Rowse?
The Spectator was presumably implying that Britain must bear some blame for allowing a sub-continent to be split in two, resulting in the creation of a theocratic state in the middle of the twentieth century, and the isolation of vulnerable minorities on both sides of the dividing line. This seems to be a valid and reasonable point.
Judging from the rest of his letter, Mr. Rowse is so eaten up with chagrin at the passing of im- perialism that he cannot bear to look objectively at the factors in this tragic situation. Another illu- sion shattered! Even Fellows of All Souls allow their judgment to be clouded by emotional prejudice.
17 Hyde Vale, SEW
M. B1SWAS
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