GERMAN COURAGE
SIR,—When Bismarck, Matthew Arnold and Mr. Nicolson agree it seems rash not to follow them, and they all say the Germans are lacking in " civil courage." But can we judge? It needs no particular courage in England to speak against the Government or defy public opinion ; in Germany it does. How many of us would speak out if it involved facing the Gestapo and the concentration camp? No doubt we should have our heroes, our Niemollers and Ossietzkys ; but I doubt if we should all be heroes. Even in Mr. Nicolson's painful story of the German in England who refused to give comfort to his fellow-countryman for fear he might be "compromised," we have to think what the word " compromised " may have meant for him. Had he any relations left in Germany who might be handed over to Himmler to be " turned black "?
After all, many of our German, Austrian and Czech refugees are just the people who have already given proof of their courage and suffered for it.—Yours obediently,
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