[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.]
Si,—The jaunty sarcasm of Colonel Butler's opening sentences is somewhat bewildering. Certainly opinion on present-day affairs is hopelessly complicated, but even so I was a little surprised to find myself classed in the "my country—right or wrong" school, which I thought had now transferred its support to Franco, in view of the latter's adhesion to a similar doctrine. Admittedly the most characteristic attitude of the English towards foreign affairs is one of fatuous self-com- placency, but I am under none of the illusions which underlie this state of mind. Not being a professional journalist, I cannot give chapter and verse to bear this out, but if Colonel Butler refuses to accept my word, then at least I shall know how high, or rather how low, to place his own contributions to the subject.
But in any case my chief concern was to do what I could in protesting against the preposterous statements made either by or for Franco and his kindred spirits in established totali- tarian States, that their aims were to extend civilisation and culture Colonel Butler's only reply is to resort to more gratuitous abuse of the Spanish Government. Writing in a moderate and respectable periodical Colonel Butler has to exercise some restraint, referring merely to "miscreants sure of the countenance of the [Spanish] government." Yet it is necessary to point out that an English newspaper, of the same opinions as Colonel Butler, describes the government troops in such terms as "armed scum." The terms may be correct, but their employment in this manner automatically places those who use them on exactly the same status as the objects of abuse. And it has yet to be explained how "armed scum" have forced Franco, aided and abetted by foreign Powers, to take fifteen months to achieve a stalemate.
I trust, Sir, that you will forgive this rather egotistical out- pouring, but Colonel Butler, from what I can gather from his completely impertinent letter, takes it as a personal affront that any one should dare to differ from him on the subject of foreign affairs, and regards himself as entitled to reply by making personal accusations. May I, therefore, in conclusion, thank Colonel Butler for his suggestion that I recant my opinion of the Spanish struggle as a silly squabble " ? I regret, however, that I cannot subscribe to the platitudinous cant requisite to regarding the struggle in any other lighr.—I am, yours faithfully, 24 Queen's Road! Windsor, Berks. H. G. E. DEVERILL.
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