Speaking generally, it is understandable that those who yearn for
a foreign policy which is more in accordance with the conscience, the vigour, and the traditions of our race; that those of us who feel that our present defence programme is not sufficiently heroic; can yet believe that more can be accomplished by persistent persuasion than by emotional or self-advertising revolt. It is understandable that, in this year of acute national danger, even those of us who have devoted our lives to the study of foreign policy may feel some hesitation in embarrassing the Administration by expert or esoteric obstinacy. It is understandable that we should hope that the sequence Of events will lead to greater clarity, and thereby to greater unanimity, of judgement. It is under- standable that, if revolt has to come, we should wait to take our stand upon some clear issue and not " slip silently away " upon points which could be interpreted as points of procedure, or upon issues regarding which we can be stulti- fied on the ground of insufficient information. And, (if Britomart will allow me to say so) it is quite understandable that even an elderly politician should not regard himself as of greater importance than the Prime Minister or the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
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