LORD MONTGOMERY’S VISIT

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25245, 25 July 1947, Page 5

LORD MONTGOMERY’S VISIT

Sir,—War in Indonesia, China, Greece, or anywhere else, at any time, was and is not a demand that men should submit to right or reason, but is an enterprise that demands the submission of right and reason almost exclusively to superiority in equipment. It is a ghastly legacy to leave to our children that they are destined to be the broken offal of chemical and mechanical ingenuity. Yet there is no trace of an alternative in history. Our diplomacy is that of Holbein’s “Ambassadors.” and our consideration for our neighbours is inferior to that of Cain for Abel, because in that case it was man to man; now there is no consideration for age, sex. or condition. — Yours, etc., H. J. BUTTLE. Darfield. July 22, 1947.

Sir, —Will a system of military training follow Lord Montgomery’s visit? I expressed the view that all who have been defended should reckon personal service a natural obligation. The quotation used by Mr Efford regarding atomic warfare refers to the cities. This is all the more reason for the force I suggested, with headquarters in suburban and rural areas. The Germans in the 1914-18 war used gas, but not in the recent war. Because we were prepared to retaliate, untold suffering was prevented. If we are well prepared in future, perhaps no nation will dare to use atomic weapons against us; or, indeed, any weapons. Another correspondent says: “Compromise and co-operation are cheaper than defence." The Japanese rewarded military exploits with facilities for lust. Compromise would result in descending to .their level without power of resistance.—Yours, etc., E. A. DENNIS. Hororata, July 23, 1947.

Sir,—There is no doubt that FieldMarshal Montgomery is a really great man. He actually noticed our children looked tired. Do you suppose some benign county councillor or mayor first pointed this out to the fieldmarshal? I prefer to think he just noticed It. But what a pity he is not staying long enough to know the reason. The stupid lessons. The still stupider homework. The poor little heads filled with scientific rubbish.— Yours, etc., DOUGLAS CRESSWELL. Governor’s Bay, July 23, 1947.