SIR: What kind of people are they? These people who turn their back to the Emperor of Japan. What is it that they want? Do they want the Japanese to grovel and to bet for their forgiveness, or do they want £14,000 to make them feel better?

Yes, I think that's what it's all about, money. Money the root of all evil. No one doubts that they suffered, but the Japanese are not the only nation guilty of war crimes.

There isn't a country in the world that can say "we did not commit atrocities." No amount of compensation in the form of cash will ever make them free of the hate and the bitterness that they have obviously harboured for more than 50 years. These people do not want good relations with Japan, but they will take their money. This is a great example to the children of the world.

Mr R Ince,

Valletts Cottages,

Bolton.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.