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Myopia, Stalin and George Bernard Shaw Reactionary toffs knew better than George Bernard Shaw
(34 minutes later)
Contrary to what Robert Saunders alleges (Letters, 18 November), George Bernard Shaw’s support for a wartime alliance with the USSR was less a pragmatic response to necessity than part and parcel of an admiration for that murderous regime that lasted, undimmed, until his death. After a visit in 1931 he became an unashamed apologist, viewing reports of the Ukrainian famine of 1933 as “slanderous”. He supported the terror and said that the Old Bolsheviks, put to death after show trials, “often have to be pushed off the ladder with ropes around their necks”.Contrary to what Robert Saunders alleges (Letters, 18 November), George Bernard Shaw’s support for a wartime alliance with the USSR was less a pragmatic response to necessity than part and parcel of an admiration for that murderous regime that lasted, undimmed, until his death. After a visit in 1931 he became an unashamed apologist, viewing reports of the Ukrainian famine of 1933 as “slanderous”. He supported the terror and said that the Old Bolsheviks, put to death after show trials, “often have to be pushed off the ladder with ropes around their necks”.
Reactionary toffs, like the wartime information minister Duff Cooper, whom Mr Saunders decries, were proved correct about the true nature of Stalinism, however critical and at what terrible cost were the Soviet efforts in the defeat of Hitler.Terry PhilpotLimpsfield Chart, SurreyReactionary toffs, like the wartime information minister Duff Cooper, whom Mr Saunders decries, were proved correct about the true nature of Stalinism, however critical and at what terrible cost were the Soviet efforts in the defeat of Hitler.Terry PhilpotLimpsfield Chart, Surrey
• I agree with the thrust of Robert Saunders’ letter that we should deal with Putin’s Russia without letting prejudice cloud our judgment. But if he wants to persuade others, and to show that he himself is not prejudiced, I’d advise against quoting George Bernard Shaw’s willingness to kowtow to Stalin’s Russia at a time when Britain was fighting Hitler and Stalin had just made an alliance with him. Putin does not deserve to be compared with that!Oliver MilesOxford• I agree with the thrust of Robert Saunders’ letter that we should deal with Putin’s Russia without letting prejudice cloud our judgment. But if he wants to persuade others, and to show that he himself is not prejudiced, I’d advise against quoting George Bernard Shaw’s willingness to kowtow to Stalin’s Russia at a time when Britain was fighting Hitler and Stalin had just made an alliance with him. Putin does not deserve to be compared with that!Oliver MilesOxford
• Mr Saunders states that George Bernard Shaw broadcast his belief in the value of friendship with the USSR “a year before Germany invaded Soviet Russia”. In other words, the broadcast was made a year before Germany abrogated the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact and less than a year after Hitler and Stalin had carved up Poland between themselves. With that in mind, the British establishment’s hostility to Russia at that time might not seem as “myopic” as Mr Saunders suggests.Andrew ConnellCardiff• Mr Saunders states that George Bernard Shaw broadcast his belief in the value of friendship with the USSR “a year before Germany invaded Soviet Russia”. In other words, the broadcast was made a year before Germany abrogated the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact and less than a year after Hitler and Stalin had carved up Poland between themselves. With that in mind, the British establishment’s hostility to Russia at that time might not seem as “myopic” as Mr Saunders suggests.Andrew ConnellCardiff
• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com