NOT FINISHED VET

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 May 1939, Page 9

NOT FINISHED VET

AN AMERICAN'S CONDOLENCES. Among my letters was one from an earnest young American in his last year at Harvard, writes Mr Beverley Baxter, M.P., in the “Sunday Graphic.” This is’the final portion of it: —“These bombing outrages in Britain must be the last straw. It is sad to see England going down, but I suppose she must endure the fate of all the other great Imperial Powers that grew soft and had to give way to stronger and more vital nations. Of course, with Japan driving you out of the Pacific, with India in revolt, Palestine in flames., Spain under Fascist'control and Germany as master of Europe, your strategical position is impossible. These Irish bombing outrages, of course, are clearly of German origin, and. the whole thing is part of Germany’s plan to keep you terrified. You will not be able to hold your Dominions because your strength will be concentrated in defending' England. I suppose the truth is that the Great War sapped your country of its material and moral stamina. I, for one, will watch the passing of England’s power with real sorrow.” To this letter Mr Baxter replied: “It is generous of you to feel badly for us. But don’t spend too much on a wreath just yet. Britain has been finished three times in every century since she started as a nation. Besides, we are too busy arming just now to answer messages of condolence.”