Letters, Oct. 2, 1939

Hull's Hunch

Sirs: The march of, German troops into Poland recently was undoubtedly of little surprise to Secretary of State Cordell Hull. The reason: In TIME, July 17, p. 19, he is quoted as having privately made the following statement to Congressmen. "Hitler will march in September—unless we pass this legislation" (repeal of the arms embargo). Prognosticator Hull deserves praise and acclaim for being so farsighted and foretelling this momentous event.

BERNARD ROSENBAUM Detroit, Mich.

Holton Plan

Sirs:

The letter of Mr. E. P. Holton of Los Angeles [TIME, Sept.11], suggesting that Great Britain grant the United States title to the British possessions in the Western Hemisphere, including all Pacific islands, but excluding the Dominion of Canada, received a favorable vote in this community. I have submitted the proposition to several business and professional men and there has not been a single objection to the proposition.

HARRY T. BURN President

Sweetwater Bank & Trust Co. Sweetwater, Tenn.

Sirs:

Record one vote for Mr. E. P. Holton's plan for the settlement of England's debt to the U. S. It is the only way in which England could discharge her debt, and it offers the only sensible reason for giving England our support in her present difficulty. In addition to Mr. Holton's suggestions, I suggest that Newfoundland and Labrador: 1) be given to Canada, 2) be given complete independence, 3) be given to the U. S.

WALTER R. LOVEL San Pedro, Calif.

Sirs:

I absolutely agree with E. P. Holton. England should pay her debt to us by giving us some of her island possessions in the Western Hemisphere. I say some, because I have visited most of the islands mentioned, and I think one or two should be given back to the Devil. . . .

Miss A. STODDARD Boston, Mass.

Sirs:

Writer E. P. Holton . . . hits the nail right on the head. . . . Great Britain, no doubt, would readily agree to this method of paying those old war debts. We know she wants to pay but just never seems to be able to get the money. . . .

R. B. HAZER North Bend, Ore.

Sirs:

The settlement proposed by E. P. Holton has my hearty approval. I have spent several months in Britain, and think she would respect us more if she paid.

FLORENCE ASCHER ROBERTSON Topanga, Calif.

Sirs:

The letter of Mr. E. P. Holton ... is the idea of a narrow-minded bigot who is never satisfied unless he is sticking his nose in someone else's business. This is the one thing that people in this world need to overcome if we expect any peace in the future. How can anyone suggest a fair payment of a nation's debts by subjecting a small minority of that nation's people to live under another flag and a different form of government? . . .

G. K. CORKUM Sioux City, Iowa

Sirs:

Before the avalanche of suggestions gets started, Mr. Holton of Los Angeles and others seem to forget that Canada belongs ONLY to the Canadian people and in consequence is not available as payment for anyone else's debts.

T. D. INGALL Mount Royal, Que.

Sirs:

My vote on E. P. Holton's suggestion about the British West Indian islands is no—another Sudetenland.

J. W. JAMES Youngstown, Ohio

Sirs: