Unlike Son

A blow fell last week on that crusty, conservative Briton-of-Britons, Secretary for India Leopold Amery. Over the Berlin radio came the announcement that his son John would speak to Britain. The blow might have been softened by the fact that the German Government disclaimed responsibility for John's words. But the voice that followed read typical canned Nazi propaganda. Excerpts:

"This war is a crime against civilization which serves no British interests. . . . There is enough room in the world for both nations and this war was only brought about to thwart Germany's position. There can no longer be a British victory and only fools think there can be an American victory.

"Between you and peace stand only the Jew and Bolshevik and the American Government . . . not only the priceless heritage of our fathers but of our Empire-builders is being thrown away in a war which serves no British interests. . . .

"I am not saying this as a defeatist but as a patriot whose prime concern is the preservation of the British Empire. So long as the German Government allows me, I will be here to help you."

Many Britons remembered John Amery as a precocious, contrary fop who had once been a Communist fellow traveler. He had tried film producing and gone bankrupt for more than $20,000. He had got 70 traffic convictions and been disqualified from driving for five years. He had been prevented from marrying an actress, Una Wing, in Chelsea, Paris, Russia, Bulgaria and Latvia. Then he had married her in Greece. He had been arrested in Paris on an extradition order by Greek police for passing phony checks.

Recently, to ease a lung ailment, 30-year-old John had been living in the south of France. His father conceded that John might have gone to Berlin for lung treatment.

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