12 MAY 1939, Page 15

It is possible, under such an interpretation, to contend that

Herr Hitler possesses sufficient self-control to avoid an unsuccessful war. But it is not possible to contend that a successful war does not appear to him as a delight far transcending the most triumphant negotiation. It is for this reason that many of us believe that the only hope of peace (and it is frail enough) is to convince Herr Hitler that further aggressions will entail a general, and therefore an unsuccessful, war. If any such conviction is to per- meate his turbulent and ill-informed mind, our unity and resolution must be as solid as a chain of steel. What dis- tresses us is that our appeasers, with their silly smiles of propitiation, are continually demonstrating to the Fiihrer that our chain of compulsion possesses certain gutta-percha links. The Times newspaper and the advisers by whom Mr. Chamberlain is immediately surrounded, in their de- sire to avoid " provocation," spend their time in indicating to the Fiihrer where he can locate the weakest links in our chain. Their integrity and patriotism have never been in question—only their experience, insight and courage. * * * *