THE BRITISH FLEET.

Evening Star, Issue 22271, 24 February 1936, Page 10

THE BRITISH FLEET.

TO THB EDITOR. Sir, —In your issue of Friday, 21st, there appears a letter by one who is moved by the sight of a photograph of a portion of the British Fleet to sign himself “ Peace with Honour.” He thinks the entertainment value of the picture would be greatly enhanced if the ships were those of the “ Russian ” rather than of the British Navy. Unfortunately for your correspondent’s aspirations as a social entertainer there are several good reasons why his wishes are in vain. In the first place “ Russia ” no longer exists, but has been replaced by a. free Union of Soviet Republics. In the second place, the Soviet Union has not a single colonial possession, and accordingly has no need to send warships to Egypt or any other part of the wofld to protect her 11 interests,” or to keep colonial slaves in subjection. Jn the third place, the Soviet Fleet is pledged to Protect the workers’ fatherland, iyhii± the ■ antithesis of .predatory

imperialism, based on the exploitation of the workers and the subjugation of the coloured races. It is indeed strange that your correspondent can sign himself ‘‘ Peace with Honour ” and at the same time express the wish that the British Imperialists possessed enough battleships to encircle the entire British Empire as well as countries like China, in which they are “ interested.” For this would be the only way of obviating the movements of the fleet to different parts of the world. For whom does his “ peace ” exist? For the millions of colonial slaves? For the ignorant border tribes, resentful of British' encroachment on the last few square miles of nnconquered territory in India and Africa, and foolish enough to hurl themselves against British guns, bavonets, and bombs? But nerhaps “ teace with Honour ” could enlighten us. If your correspondent finds it somewhat difficult to distinguish between the Communist Party and the “No More War ” organisation, he might try consulting either one or the other.—l am, etc., Sfartacus. February 24.