12 JULY 1940, Page 14

TOO FEW CHILDREN

SIR,—May I reply to the letter signed " A. R. Caton " in your last week's issue?

I never imagined that comment on the Petains and Lavals could be read as a " gibe " at the French people in their bitter hour. I heartily concur in Mr. Caton's view of "the responsibility of our own leadership in the past "—is it wholly adequate even now?

Marshal Petain's further excuse, " too few Allies," recalls the treat- ment of Czecho-Slovakia and Republican Spain.

As to the declining birth-rate, surely the more intelligent, sensitive and independent a community the less will it consent to multiply hostages for slaughter or starvation? If children are wanted, let the world be made fit for them to live in—Europe today is not fit.—