THE ATLANTIC CHARTER
SIR,—The amount of discussion already raised by the " Atlantic Charter " shows once more what a long way it is from the proclaim- g of principles to their application in the confused sphere of human (fairs. May I here record some reflections on the " eight points " Perhaps characteristic of men belonging to the nations at present enslaved by Germany. It is not only right but wise not to contem- lzte vengeance after victory. The eight points go a step further, and Ppear to promise equal opportunities to the vanquished "after the destruction of Nazi tyranny." This attitude is also a sound one, as a starving and desolate Germany would not benefit anybody. But the Germans, who in the last war so eagerly took up the slogan of Peace without victors or vanquished, are certain, if they have a chance, to interpret the eight points as announcing: Peace without aggressors or victims. When they have to face the conclusion of an unfavour- able peace, they will endeavour to persuade the world that the only sense of the two Anglo-Saxon statesmen's utterance is that no nation can be under any pretext called upon to make good some of the wrong it has done, even if it has spread death and cesolation to ten countries.
Far from understanding the extraordinary measure of generosity apparent in the eight points, the Germans will perceive and remem- ber exclusively what counters their desires. A new generation will have to grow up before any appreciable number of Germans will be prepared to see in what the Declaration calls " the destruction of Nazy tyranny " anything else than the heinous overthrow of the man under whose leadership they found themselves actually in sight of world-domination. And as for being subject to disarmament as a nation which " threatens, or may threaten, oppression outside its frontiers," that will be a discrimination against them which the Germans will be less inclined to forgive than any other. We all remember the enthusiasm roused in Germany when Hitler, in violation of the Treaty of Versailles, reintroduced compulsory conscription.
I even foresee controversies over Point Second of the Declaration. German representatives will be quite capable of asserting that it ques- tions the right of their neighbours to reverse the changes of frontiers made by invasion and annexation of their lands. There is also little doubt it will be claimed that Point Third sanctions Hitler's rule over
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