LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Munich in Retrospect
Sin,—Sir Charles Webster, in his review of Documents of British Foreign Policy, 1919-19.39, contained in the Spectator of September 30th, remarks that during the crisis preceding the Munich meeting Sir Eric Phipps and I "seem to have been almost as defeatist" as Sir Nevilc Hender- son. Sir Charles seems to have fallen into a common error concerning the functions of an Ambassador. An Ambassador does not frame policy, though. his reports may, and should, influence those who do frame it— namely, the Foreign Secretary and the Cabinet. He has not full know- ledge of of general, military and economic factors which must be main considerations in decisions relating to foreign policy.
The policy of 11.M. Government at the time immediately preceding Munich was, as I understood it, to stave off the threatened armed attack by Hitler on Czechoslovakia and to try to solve the crisis peacefully through negotiations and conference. It was the duty of all Heads of Missions to do all that lay in their power to secure the fulfilment of such a policy, whatever their personal opinions might be, since clearly the Government alone could have the requisite knowledge of all that was involved. The request that Mussolini should use his influence with Hitler to accept Mr. Chamberlain's proposal was conveyed by me to Count Ciano, in the early morning of September 28th, and it was through his intervention that the order that the German troops should attack Czechoslovakia—they were to march at two o'clock on September 28th—was cancelled. If It be defeatist to carry out instructions to the best of one's ability, and In this case successfully, I admit the impeachment.
Sir Eric Phipps is dead and unable to reply, but on his behalf and my own I would call attention to a footnote in Monsieur Francois-Poncet's recently published memoirs. I-k writes: "I should like to point out that in relating the memories and thoughts which the Munich Conference aroused and left within me, I offer the testimony of one who was but a purveyor of information. . . . I was never consulted when the major decisions were made."—Yours faithfully, PERTH. Fyning House, Rogate, near Petersfield.
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