SELF-DETERMINATION FOR GERMANY
SIR,—Sir Henry Slesser's letter raises a point concerning which there should surely not be the least misunderstanding. It would be intolerable if after winning the war we permitted the Nazi regime to be re-established in Germany, and a Fascist State in Italy on the ground that we were pledged to " respect the right of all peoples to choose the form of Govern- ment under which they will live." One must assume this to mean some form of representative Government in which the people have a share. There are many varieties, both political and industrial to choose from ; any attempt to set up the former regimes in Germany and Italy should be met with instant sanctions, because it would be a sure sign that preparations for another war had begun.
Do not let us be taken in again by the cry that it does not matter what form of Government a country chooses. It makes all the difference in the world, and it is a pity that this was not explicitly stated in Article 3 of the Atlantic Charter, but the inference is surely plain enough.—
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