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P. S. I notice in a footnote on page 60 of your issue of Nov. 12 an interesting remark of Wm. Lyon Phelps' about Father Riggs. In view of Prof. Phelps' observation that "he has done both" (i.e., written musical comedy and joined the Catholic clergy), you will be interested to know that Father Riggs' two most recent literary ventures are a highly theological translation from the French just published by Macmillan—and a translation of Rostand's "The Last Night of Don Juan." The translation of Rostand, as yet unpublished, is as beautiful, subtle and polished as the theological translation is lucid and elevating.
Outdoor Life,
Denver, Colo.
Damnation Not Invoked
Sirs:
In your issue of Nov. 19 you translate "Gott strafe England," as "God Damn England." A far more accurate translation would have been: "God punish England," the meaning back of the word "strafe" being that punishment is merited. Had your version been intended the German would have been one of two expressions, "Gott verdammt sei England," or, "Gott verdamme England." There is quite a difference between invoking punishment and invoking damnation.
JOHN KAISER
Marietta, Ohio
Grey Flayed
Sirs:
It is interesting to note the strange case of Viscount Grey v. Baldwin's late Pact (as well-recorded in TIME, Nov. 19). There was a time when the Viscount (then Sir Edward and Foreign Sec't.) was himself a defendant in a similar action.
It was on Aug. 3, 1914, that Sir Edward revealed for the first time, the nature of his own agreements with France. Said Viscount Grey: The naval conversations (with France) had prepared for the present an effective cooperation of the two powers in case of war, but, it has always been understood that these agreements did not "restrict the freedom of either government to decide at any future time whether or not to assist the other by armed force."
"What, then, was the nature of the obligation?" a member of the Opposition asked. (And today asks the Viscount.) In answer Sir Edward said: "How far that entails an obligation, let every man look into his own heart and his own feelings and construe the extent of the obligation for himself," or as echoed by the present Lord Cushendun in 1928: "We are under no obligation and could if we liked alter our attitude. . . . But Britain is not likely to do this because it would be absolutely futile."
No obligation—yet we will live up to it! "Voluntarily," they are saying. "Your conscience, gentlemen," as Sir Edward put it. The conscience, mind you, of gentlemen who were hearing these "nonobligatory agreements" expounded for the first time and on August 3, 1914.
It is history that makes strange bedfellows.
IRVING B. PFLAUM
Chicago, Ill.
Hughes Explained
Sirs: