Spectator's Notebook
MR. Selwyn Lloyd's journey to Rhodesia hasn't produced any surprises, but it con- firms, as the SPECTATOR has long argued, that the only sensible course is to restart the Anglo- Rhodesian dialogue—without strings. I don't think any impartial observer can now doubt that the Government has hopelessly deluded itself about the time it would take for economic sanctions to topple the Smith regime. The oil embargo has been significantly breached—and not just by the apparently well-organised South African shuttle service: there is also the constant flow of cars, lorries and diesel trains across the border to fill up and return. It's rather like denying petrol to Scotland and then leaving open the border with England.
Dismayed by the oil leaks, Whitehall's hopes are now pinned on the failure of the tobacco auction, scheduled for March 8. The Rhodesian authorities are canfident that they will find buyers for the whole crop; but even if they don't, it seems clear that Mr. Wilson is going to have some explaining to do when the time comes for the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Confer- ence in July and. Mr. Smith, contrary to Mr. Wilson's rash promise, is still there. The truth is that if negotiations are ruled out, Britain is going to be faced with the choice between abject surrender or the use of force, with unpredictable consequences. If the Anglo-Rhodesian dialogue is to be renewed, it must begin at a relatively low level, and in complete secrecy. But it must begin now.
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