A SPECTATOR'S NOTEBOOK
THE appointment of Sir Robert Vansittart, whose ability, experience and knowledge are beyond dispute, to the new post of Chief Diplomatic Adviser has aroused little enthusiasm and many doubts. Of the weight of the burden resting on the Secretary of State there can be no question, and any reason- able expedient to relieve him is assured of a sympathetic examination. It is to be noted, moreover, that though the precedent of action taken by other Government Depart- menus is quoted, there is not an exact precedent. Sir Frederick Leith-Ross, for example, is Chief Economic Adviser to the Government, not to the Board of Trade. Sir Robert Vansittart is quite properly to be responsible to the Secretary of State, and there can be no excuse for the dissemination of the mischievous legend that he is " Chamberlain's man." The proof of the pudding will be in the eating. There are no doubt secondary international conferences and com- mittees where this country can properly be represented by an official rather than a Minister (no one will forget the admirable work done by Sir Arthur Nicolson at the Algeciras Confer- ence), but the House of Commons will not be content to see that practice carried far, nor should it. Sir Robert's position in the Foreign Office, too, will clearly be a matter of some delicacy. Sir Alexander Cadogan is admirably qualified for the position of Permanent Under-Secretary, to which he is now promoted, and it would be unfortunate if the prestige traditionally attaching to that position were diminished. It has yet to be demonstrated that there is room for a new office between the Permanent Under-Secretary and the Secretary of State.
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