AN ANSWER TO HITLER SIR,—Surely every Briton at home or
oversea who listened to, or read, Lord Halifax's speech a few days ago must have felt a thrill of pleasure and of pride at his noble words. Nevertheless, one wonders whether the right and proper answer has been given to the so-calico Hitler peace move.
I feel that Great Britain ought to answer somewhat as follows: "Britain is as anxious as Hitler is to end the war. Britain is as eager for a new order in Europe as Hitler can be, and certainly has no desire to prolong the bloodshed and the horrors of this war. Britain would even be prepared to discuss with the other peoples of Europe the formation of a United States of Europe comprising all the present European countries, with a Federal Government responsible for administration of Customs, of mili- tary, naval and air force establishments and of all colonial possessions, and with State Governments autonomous within limits in all other matters.
"Britain would enter into negotiations to this end only on condition that the boundaries of the proposed States revert to the pre-war international boundaries, with the understanding that adjustments may be made in these boundaries as a result of the negotiation."
A military victory is not the only kind of victory. Everyone, both In Britain and Germany, knows that we are prepared to fight on, but we should lose no opportunity which may present itself of discovering whether our war-aims or peace-aims are attainable by other means than by fighting on.—I am, dear Sir, yours faithfully,
Previous page
