ENGLAND IN AUSTRALIAN EYES [To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR]
SIR,—As a subscriber to The Spectator and a great admirer of its unbiased attitude towards national problems, I should like, as one of the " common herd " in Australia, to express my views—and I think the views of many of my fellow countrymen—on the humiliating loss of prestige to the British Commonwealth of Nations by; what appears' at this distance, the pandering to dictators 'and the inept handling of 'foreign affairs.
My parents—born in England—migrated to Australia during the year 5853. I have always had a deep feeling of loyalty to the British Crown and to the British Commonwealth of Nations —which was intensified by my War services in France and my visits to England, but I have been saddened and depressed and my loyalty badly shaken by the succession of events during and since the Manchurian crisis.
My depression deepened as I realised Great Britain's dis-
loyalty to the League of Nations, its acquiescence in the rs of Abyssinia, its frightened and two-faced diplomacy in i
Spanish problem, its puerile non-intervention policy le both Germany and Italy are laughing up their sleeves, and the last tragedy in which a truly democratic country—tne country of the " Sokols "—was thrown to the wolves.
It would appear to us, in this far-away portion of the Empire. that there must be some malevolent influences at work within the British Cabinet which the British people as a whole should make some attempt to eradicate.
We do know that the British people spoke with no uncertain voice in the " Peace Ballot ". with remarkable effect on the Government. We also know that people in high places have great financial interests in Spain, and that many in aristocratic and wealthy circles are sympathetic with Fascist doctrines.
Australia is now preparing for war—or " defence "—as it is euphemistically termed, and many of us are wondering where we will stand in another world conflict. Is it to be on the side of Great Britain or will our self interests force us to consider affiliation with the United States of America in view of the feebleness of what we still regard as our Mother Country and which, owing to our association with our parents, still call " home " ?
Cannot some great effort be made to test the real feelings of the British people ? I cannot, and will not, think that their pride of race has been lost, that they have become oblivious to the sufferings of other people, and that the besmirching of their national honour is a matter of complete indifference to them.
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