Post by Diarist on Sept 12, 2016 11:18:56 GMT 1
Rab Butler and I arranged to meet at 8 o'clock and we were both punctual. After greetings he asked me how life is as a minister.
"The salary is better than that of a major but my first cabinet meeting will be on Friday. I still work for Winston Churchill and my work is pretty much the same as before my appointment. You, Winston and the PM meet often I believe?"
"We meet regularly and they have mentioned your name several times when discussing the new employment package."
"I gave my original idea to John Keynes and he polished it up. I'm glad it is being implemented because it does help us expand and modernize the armed forces while creating jobs and increasing tax revenues all at the same time. It's a juggling act but if carefully monitored it will succeed."
"You believe in standing up to Hitler?"
"Not just Hitler, all dictators. We taught Mussolini a lesson and hopefully the Conservative Party will benefit from that tomorrow. The same for Daladier in France on Sunday. He understands what a threat Nazi Germany poses." John Gort arrived and joined us.
"It's a bit late for election campaign strategy session, gentlemen."
"We don't need one in Saffron Walden," Rab replied.
"I heard that you have an opponent here who believes that Indians wear loin cloth and fight with bows and arrows."
"It's true. She was opposed to the Indian Agreement earlier this year because of those reasons."
"That's hilarious."
"How are your travel preparations coming along, Bob."
"Fine. This morning I received our diplomatic passports from Anthony Eden personally. I also gave Orde and Thomas a list of questions which need to be addressed when I arrive in Alexandria next month."
"You have the permission to go to Germany?"
"I got that yesterday from Winston. He's my boss. Although I'm only going there if there is good flying weather."
"The Nazi leadership has probably received Eden's letter by now. What kind of response do you expect?"
"Do you know what was in it," Rab asked.
"Yes. Basically the genuine issues about the Rhineland and the Polish Corridor can be negotiated but the Sudetenland belonged to Austria-Hungary not Germany. If Hitler wants the Germans I'm sure it can be arranged that they pack their suitcases and go to the Reich. If Sudetenland were to become German territory then Czechoslovakia would be defenceless in the west. There is no way they could agree to that."
"Bob's in favour of a strong stance towards Germany even if it means going to war."
"John, if we go to war it will be because the Germans fire the first shot. At the moment if Britain were alone we are militarily stronger than Germany but we are not alone. Even strong sanctions would cripple their economy."
"...and take ours with it," Rab added.
"No, Rab. Our economy does not rely upon trade with Germany. Trade with the Empire and our own expansion policies are driving the economy now. The USA is recovering too because FDR's policies are US policies and are not dependent on world trade. We are not as vulnerable as we were a decade ago."
"But there would be turbulences."
"The worst would be felt in Germany. The country is in no position to initiate a conflict and it's about time that we recognized that. It's economy is extremely fragile so any demands from Germany should be ignored and ridiculed. If Germany's neighbours stand together we have nothing to fear. We could defeat Germany without a shot being fired. That's my opinion."
"That would put us on collision course with Germany and I cannot support that."
"Agreeing to German demands wouldn't mean peace either. A few months later they would come back with more demands. Only by staying firm can we stop Germany. They would have to initiate the conflict and they are not in the position to do that. It's so simple. We have to call their bluff and as soon as they back down, Hitler's position in Germany would become untenable. If we give in then Hitler wins and becomes unstoppable at the negotiating table and war becomes unavoidable. We can stop him now."
"If Hitler is forced to step down the next Führer could be even worse!"
"So we support Hitler in order to prevent somebody worse taking over? You can't be serious, Rab. I need another drink. Anybody else?"
I saw Daryl Shepherd while at the bar and he passed me a note that the next meeting will be Tuesday in the public bar at 19:00.
Back at the table with three glasses of Jameson whiskey I was glad that the discussion was now about Rab hoping for a promotion in the government.
"You don't need to worry about competition from me. I can't wait to put my uniform back on. I like the salary though. I earn more than a General."
"How much do you earn then, Bob?"
"Over £5,500 plus expenses and I still have parts of my major's pay too. I also qualify for a good pension even if I quit next week."
"I have the wrong career."
"There's Irvine. Alles in Ordnung heute, Irvine?"
"Everything went fine. The plane left punctually."
"Good. They should be home by now. Even Heinz in Weimar."
"When are you travelling to Berlin?"
"I hope to arrive on the 10th or 11th."
"Then I hope you enjoy the journey. Herr Major."
"A German in your HQ?"
"Don't worry, Rab. He has Churchill's blessing. This is my last drink this evening. Time for me to go home. Until tomorrow morning, Rab. Goodnight."
"The salary is better than that of a major but my first cabinet meeting will be on Friday. I still work for Winston Churchill and my work is pretty much the same as before my appointment. You, Winston and the PM meet often I believe?"
"We meet regularly and they have mentioned your name several times when discussing the new employment package."
"I gave my original idea to John Keynes and he polished it up. I'm glad it is being implemented because it does help us expand and modernize the armed forces while creating jobs and increasing tax revenues all at the same time. It's a juggling act but if carefully monitored it will succeed."
"You believe in standing up to Hitler?"
"Not just Hitler, all dictators. We taught Mussolini a lesson and hopefully the Conservative Party will benefit from that tomorrow. The same for Daladier in France on Sunday. He understands what a threat Nazi Germany poses." John Gort arrived and joined us.
"It's a bit late for election campaign strategy session, gentlemen."
"We don't need one in Saffron Walden," Rab replied.
"I heard that you have an opponent here who believes that Indians wear loin cloth and fight with bows and arrows."
"It's true. She was opposed to the Indian Agreement earlier this year because of those reasons."
"That's hilarious."
"How are your travel preparations coming along, Bob."
"Fine. This morning I received our diplomatic passports from Anthony Eden personally. I also gave Orde and Thomas a list of questions which need to be addressed when I arrive in Alexandria next month."
"You have the permission to go to Germany?"
"I got that yesterday from Winston. He's my boss. Although I'm only going there if there is good flying weather."
"The Nazi leadership has probably received Eden's letter by now. What kind of response do you expect?"
"Do you know what was in it," Rab asked.
"Yes. Basically the genuine issues about the Rhineland and the Polish Corridor can be negotiated but the Sudetenland belonged to Austria-Hungary not Germany. If Hitler wants the Germans I'm sure it can be arranged that they pack their suitcases and go to the Reich. If Sudetenland were to become German territory then Czechoslovakia would be defenceless in the west. There is no way they could agree to that."
"Bob's in favour of a strong stance towards Germany even if it means going to war."
"John, if we go to war it will be because the Germans fire the first shot. At the moment if Britain were alone we are militarily stronger than Germany but we are not alone. Even strong sanctions would cripple their economy."
"...and take ours with it," Rab added.
"No, Rab. Our economy does not rely upon trade with Germany. Trade with the Empire and our own expansion policies are driving the economy now. The USA is recovering too because FDR's policies are US policies and are not dependent on world trade. We are not as vulnerable as we were a decade ago."
"But there would be turbulences."
"The worst would be felt in Germany. The country is in no position to initiate a conflict and it's about time that we recognized that. It's economy is extremely fragile so any demands from Germany should be ignored and ridiculed. If Germany's neighbours stand together we have nothing to fear. We could defeat Germany without a shot being fired. That's my opinion."
"That would put us on collision course with Germany and I cannot support that."
"Agreeing to German demands wouldn't mean peace either. A few months later they would come back with more demands. Only by staying firm can we stop Germany. They would have to initiate the conflict and they are not in the position to do that. It's so simple. We have to call their bluff and as soon as they back down, Hitler's position in Germany would become untenable. If we give in then Hitler wins and becomes unstoppable at the negotiating table and war becomes unavoidable. We can stop him now."
"If Hitler is forced to step down the next Führer could be even worse!"
"So we support Hitler in order to prevent somebody worse taking over? You can't be serious, Rab. I need another drink. Anybody else?"
I saw Daryl Shepherd while at the bar and he passed me a note that the next meeting will be Tuesday in the public bar at 19:00.
Back at the table with three glasses of Jameson whiskey I was glad that the discussion was now about Rab hoping for a promotion in the government.
"You don't need to worry about competition from me. I can't wait to put my uniform back on. I like the salary though. I earn more than a General."
"How much do you earn then, Bob?"
"Over £5,500 plus expenses and I still have parts of my major's pay too. I also qualify for a good pension even if I quit next week."
"I have the wrong career."
"There's Irvine. Alles in Ordnung heute, Irvine?"
"Everything went fine. The plane left punctually."
"Good. They should be home by now. Even Heinz in Weimar."
"When are you travelling to Berlin?"
"I hope to arrive on the 10th or 11th."
"Then I hope you enjoy the journey. Herr Major."
"A German in your HQ?"
"Don't worry, Rab. He has Churchill's blessing. This is my last drink this evening. Time for me to go home. Until tomorrow morning, Rab. Goodnight."