BABIES AND BOMBS
am much obliged to Miss Sparrow for pointing out the error in my former letter. I should have said " population " instead of "birthrate." It does not affect the argument. The desire on the part of Germany for more " Lebensraum " was- notorious. The population went up three millions between 1931 and 1936. Moreover, Miss Sparrow points out that Hitler tried to raise the birthrate, which was part of his policy of aggression. It should hardly be necessary for me to add that I am not, and never have been, in favour of a policy leading to extermina- tion, but as a eugenist I have always approved of control, which in some form or other is essential if eugenic practices are to be carried out. But population control is necessary also to prevent the desecration of the countryside, as I have several times urged. The late Lord Lilford in advocating the protection of bird life remarked long ago on this over- populated island. What would he have thought now? Lastly, I would add that the increasing tendency to introduce age limits to various occupations "to make room, for the younger men," and not because the older ones are inefficient, does not suggest fear that there are going to be too few to do the work required.—Yours very truly,
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