GALLUP POLL SIR,—Yours is an ingenious hypothetical argument. Alas, facts
destroy it.
We put up for approval or disapproval, in one question, three possible decisions by NATO: (1) Talks with Russians; enormous majority approved. (2) Russia and West both withdraw troops from Germany; small majority approved. (3) Germany to set up American missile bases; only small minority approved. The latter deals a death-blow to your 'the poll was ensuring an affirmative reply.'
One final point. We phrased the question in the manner we did because we were putting it in the realistic framework of current discussion. It is a misuse of English to describe this as 'angled.'— Yours faithfully, HENRY DURANT Social Surveys (Gallup Poll) Ltd., 59 Brook Street, Mayfair, W1 [Our argument was not hypothetical. The question we complained of was : 'Would you approve or dis- approve if, after this meeting : (a) The Western leaders offered to meet the Rus- sian leaders to discuss outstanding differences?' It was in fact the only one which mentioned the Western leaders (the third question did not mean 'the West' at all). As we said last week its form ensured 'an affirmative reply from the numerous people who believe that Heads of State know more about the possibility of a successful negotiation with the Russians than they do themselves.' It is difficult to see what a 'realistic framework of current dis- cussion' means in this connection. But it certainly should not mean closing one's eyes to obvious psychological reactions.—Editor, Spectator.]
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