5 JULY 1940, Page 18

AN INDISCREET SOLDIER

Sta,—Under the above heading Mr. H. E. Bates tells us, in your last issue, how he allowed a private soldier for three minutes to indulge In "casual blabbing of highly important plans, complete with exact topographical and other details," and then left him, apparently without a word of exhortation to discretion. Would it not have been wiser and more patriotic to stop him at the first improper disclosure and give him a word of advice and warning?—Yours faithfully, J. A. HERBERT.

Abbey House, Milton Tilbourne, Marlborough, Wilts.