BRITISH PLANNING OF WAR

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 16, 14 October 1942, Page 5

BRITISH PLANNING OF WAR

“Life” Attacked For Recent Criticism*

REPLY BY EDITORS

(By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received October .13, 9.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, October 12.

“The editors of the magazine ‘Life’ have touched, off a bitter British-American controversy over the basic United Nations’ war principles by demanding in an open letter that the British ‘quit fighting the war to hold the Empire together; because if you cling to the Empire at the expense of the United Nations you will lose’,” declares the paper which severely criticizes “Life.” “P.M.” was unable to reach Mr. Henry Luce, publisher of “Life,” but his wife, Clare Booth Luce, the famous playwright, said: “I am absolutely certain there was no intention of suggesting a separate peace.” “P.M.” asks Mr. Luce, editorially. “Where do you want the British people to cease holding the Empire together? Australia? The Australians have more to say about that than the British and haven’t we a bit at stake out there, too? “Egypt? Lord knows Rommel is doing all he can to pull the Empire apart there. “The East Coast of Africa? The Vichy French would like that, for then Laval would be able to bargain with the Germans and Japanese over Madagascar, just as Vichy sold out IndoChina. Importance Of Freetown. “The West Coast of Africa? Remember Freetown is our side’s closest base to Dakar which threatens us in the hands of Vichy. “Canada? The Canadians, like the Australians, should decide for themselves. We are not defending Imperialists or Colonel Blimps, hut when ‘Life’ puts out big, nice-sounding generalities without being specific it does not help the war effort either here or abroad, for such statements are apt to be read by people who will accept them without thinking them through—any more than you thought them through as you wrote.”

A London message states that, the editors of “Life” have issued a statement there claiming that all their open letter really demanded was that British war aims should be stated and that they be United Nations’ aims and not merely Empire aims. “The accusation that we are seeking to drive a wedge between Britain and America is false and unrealistic,” they said.