ENGLISH BOOKS FOR GERMANS
Sig,—As a translator and publishers' reader I am in contact with several schemes providing for the dissemination of English literature, in trans- lation, in post-war Germany. In all these cases the publishers concerned asked themselves the natural question: "What will the Germans want to read? "—the result being that English literature will be represented to an extent grossly out of proportion by cheap sensational fiction, and as far as politics are involved, by various kinds of spiritual "appease- ment." This state of affairs is clearly regrettable and • should be remedied ; but a remedy should be found not so much in the sup- pression of undesirable, as in the,.promotion of desirable publications— works of literature and science that are truly representative of the life of the nation and the Empire.
Having studied the problem from diverse points of view, I have come to the conclusion, which I am prepared to argue in detail, that large sectors of the German public will be in .a sufficiently receptive frame of mind to read representative English literature, and that the publication of such literature can be undertaken on a sound commercial basis— provided, however, that editorship and salesmanship are expert and imaginative in their methods. It is, no doubt, easier to sell books by flattering the customer's national vanity and by satisfying his craving for sensationalism, and publishers, who are human and therefore inclined to follow the line of least resistance, will do just that, and only that, unless they receive official advice and material encouragement to engage
in rather more difficult, but at the same time incomparably more valuable ventures.
I believe that this is a matter of public interest which deserves a full
discussion in responsible journals.—Yours truly, DR. LEO KAHN. 66 Danes Court, Wembley Park, Middx.
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