28 JUNE 1946, Page 22

Good Intentions

British Security. A Report by a Chatham House Study Group. (Royal Institute of International Affairs 8s. 6d.)

A SERIOUS study of the problems of British security would serve a most valuable purpose at the present time ; but alas! those who go to this book for enlightenment will be sadly disappointed. It gives the impression of having been composed by a group of men- too busy or too tired to think clearly about their subject and perpetually seeking refuge, in evasion or goodwill, from the difficulties in which it abounds. At moments they descend into hitherto unplumbed depths of banality, from which they have fished up some fabulous.. pearls of platitude. I give a_few examples, which perhaps provide a fairer impression of the book's merits than anything which an irritated reviewer might say: " In all possible hypotheses, relations with the United States will be a factor of the utmost importance for the future security of the United Kingdom and indeed of the whole Commonwealth." " Ignorance and suspicion are among the greatest obstacles to genuine understanding." " Frankness and firmness in dealing with the differences which are bound to occur should be all to the good, provided they are not accompanied by irritation or hostility." " It is clear, therefore, that it is to her advantage and to the advantage of all other peaceable Powers that, as Professor H. A. R. Gibb has said, Britain should have a clear policy for the Middle East."

From such writing it is difficult to extract much meaning, but so far as one can summarise an argument which wavers hesitantly between platitude and tautology, and which employs words so loosely that it is often difficult to choose between giving them two precisely opposite meanings, one may say that the authors assert the following. It is impossible to think about the problems of British security except on the assumption that the United Nations Organisation exists and will function effectively. Grave difficulties, however, are likely to arise, particularly in Europe and in the Middle East. With good- will these difficulties should be overcome ; if there is no goodwill the consequences will be so appalling that the United Nations Organisation becomes even more essential. The prospects, hoWever, are favourable to co-operation between the Great Powers, because there is no possibility of irreconcileable conflict between Great Britain and the United States, and because the U.S.S.R., for all her -tantrums, is chiefly interested not in expansion but in ensuring her own security: These propositions are supported by such inadequate factual or historical data that one must accept them as expressions of hope and goodwill rather than statements of fact or probability. One cannot help thinking, however, that such books as this; by increasing confusion of mind, do a great- disservice to the cause they profess to serve: the understanding of international affairs.

GORONWY REES.