25 SEPTEMBER 1959, Page 22

SIR,—Mr. Charles Curran's article 'Stalin Merely Smiled' shows painstaking penetration

of events lead- ing up to that fateful decision of Mr. Truman which manifested itself on August 6, 1945. Surely Joe Stalin must have been the ace of poker-players in his day? But have our guardians—namely, the diplomats and politicians—learnt anything from the dhys of Potsdam and Yalta? There is little evidence that they have. Indeed, Mr. Khrushchev may smile too. I should not be surprised if he doubles up with laughter when he steps off his plane on his return to Moscow.—Yours faithfully,

W. P. D. KITCHEN