11 AUGUST 1939, Page 3

No one should underestimate what has been done since March.

But the Prime Minister is his own worst enemy. He seems incapable of the generous gesture. His treatment of the Opposition, of Mr. Churchill and Mr. Eden is a real disappointment to many of those who follow him. The long years of Lord Baldwin's leadership taught people to expect a different attitude from a Prime Minister than that of party champion. Mr. Chamberlain possesses the qualities of leadership: physical and mental endurance which are the envy of all, devotion to duty, courage and determination. He overtops his Cabinet, dominates the Commons, the country takes sides for or against him. He protests that his conversion on March 15th was genuine and lasting. The Government record endorses it. Yet he obstinately refuses the hand of friendship to those for whom conversion was unnecessary. As the election nears his chance of uniting the nation behind himself narrows. But he has still the opportunity to do so.