LETTER: US, not Europe, is the big threat

Sir: We hear many appeals to our patriotism in support of the attitudes of the political parties towards closer ties with Europe - whether totally negative or of the "wait and see" variety.

As a former British officer with the French Resistance I would suggest that, confronted with the rising tide of jingoistic sentiment, we might well remember the words of Edith Cavell. Before her execution in Brussels on 12 October 1915, for furthering the escape of Allied fugitives, she said: "I realise that patriotism is not enough ... I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone."

SYDNEY HUDSON

London SW1