The Representative'
StR,—Your correspondent Rabbi S. Warshaw in the February 26 issue of the Spectator states, 'It is obvious that the Vatican, in its present efforts to Prevent the performance of The Representative in Italy, has a guilty conscience over the refusal of the late Pope Pius XII to condemn inhuman Nazi atrocities against the Jews in the recent world war.' May I, in my turn, state that it is obvious that Mr. Warshaw is not au courant with the facts of this unfortunate business? Alain McElwain, reporting from Vatican City, says that among many Vatican officials it is felt that the whole thing has been very tactlessly handled by the Rome police. Had the per- formance been allowed to proceed without fuss there would have been no 'incidents' and little pub- licity. As it is, enemies of the Church have been handed on a plate •a chance to accuse it of 'sup- pression,"interference with public liberty,' censor- shin' and the rest.- Pope Paul, who at one time worked closely with Pius XII, is anxious that the true facts relating to the Pope and his attitude towards the massacre of the Jews should be given to the world in due course. A white paper dealing with the whole matter is now in the process of preparation. Perhaps Mr. Warshaw could contain himself until the truth is available. I myself saw the play in London and I could not for the life of me see that Hochhuth had shown that Pius XII, more than anyone else, was guilty of encouraging Hitler to proceed with his maniacal attitude towards the Jews. It is clear that Mr. Warshaw has no idea as to how far a Pope is con- sidered infallible; he will be surprised if, and when- ever, he should find out. His reference to 'the Catholic Church's guilt for the spilling of genera- tions of Jewish blood' is quite incomprehensible. It is easy to make statements: not so easy to substan- tiate them.
MARJORIE WALLACE
3Ic Lexden Road, Colchester, Essex
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