¹⁷⁸ ‘Manchukuo and Geneva’ 17 01 1933 p. 13.Google Scholar

¹⁷⁹ This entry is in Sylvia Kennedy's hand.

¹⁸⁰ Walter Runciman (1870 1949): Lib MP Oldham 1899–1900, Dewsbury 1902–18, Swansea W. 1924–9, St ivcs 1929–37 (Nat. Lib. from 1931); Pros. BofT. 1914–16, 1931–7; Ld Pres. 1938–9; Head of Mission to Sudetenland 1938; suc. 2^nd Baron Runeiman 1937, cr. Viscount Runciman of Doxford 1937.

¹⁸¹ James Henry Thomas (1874–1949); Lab. MP Derby 1910–36 (Nat. Lab. from 1931); Colonial See. 1924; Min. of Employment & Ld Privy Seal 1929–30; See. of State for Dominions 1930–5, for Colonies 1935 6. See his My Story (1937).

¹⁸² ‘Sir John Simon at Geneva’: 27 01 1933, p.14.Google Scholar

¹⁸³ Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882 1945): Gov. State of New York 1929–33; Pres. of U.S. 1933–45.

¹⁸⁴ Hermann Göring (1893–1946): Nazi politician; participated in beer hall Putsch 1923Google Scholar; elected Deputy 1928; Pres. of Reichstag 1932–1933Google Scholar; PM of Prussia 1933; C-in-C Air Force 1933–45; Commissioner for the Four-Year Plan 1936; Field-Marshal 1938; Pres. of Gen. Council for War Economy; committed suicide before execution, Nuremberg 1946.

¹⁸⁵ ‘The Pirme Minister for Geneva’: 4 03 1933, p.13.Google Scholar

¹⁸⁶ Edouard Daladier (1884–1970): French politician; Radical Deputy 1919–40, 1946 58; FM 1933, 1934, 1936, 1938–40; Min. of Defence 1938–40; For. Min. 1939–40; attempted to establish a rival govt in North Africa to continue the war but was arrested and imprisoned by the Vichy govt.

¹⁸⁷ Adolph Hitler (1889–1945): Nazi megalomaniac; Chanc. 1933; Head of German State 1934; C-in-C of German Fighting Forces 1938; Personal Commander of army 1941; Supreme War Lord 1942; died in a bunker proclaiming German people had failed him 1945.

¹⁸⁸ Pompeo Aloisi (1875 1949): Italian diplomat; Press Chief, Italian delegation, Paris Peace Conf. 1919; Amb. in Tokyo 1928–9, in Ankara 1930–2; head of cabinet Ministero degli Affari Esteri 1932Google Scholar 6; head of Italian delegation, LoN Council 1932–6. See his La mia attività a servizio della pace (1946).Google Scholar

¹⁸⁹ After forming his liaison with Lady Londonderry in 1930, MacDonald became a part of her political, literary & artistic circle, nicknamed ‘the Ark’ (as ‘members’ took the names of animals). Following the formation of the National Government in 1931 (with Lord Londonderry as Minister for Air) Londonderry House became a social centre for the new government, and in 1932 the National Labour Party held a major reception there.

¹⁹⁰ Charles André Corbin (1881–1970): entered dip. service 1906; Under-Dir. of European Section Ministère des Affaires Etrangères 1924–1927Google Scholar; Dir. of Political & Commercial affairs 1927–9; Amb. in Brussels 1931–3; in London 1933–40.

¹⁹¹ ‘To Geneva via Paris’: 9 03 1933, p. 13.Google Scholar

¹⁹² Alan Geoffrey C. Dawnay (1888–1938): army officer; Col. 1930; Gen. Staff officer 1^st grade, WO 1931–3; Controller, Programme Division BBC 1933–5; officer commanding Irish Guards 1935–6; army instructor Imperial Defence College 1936–7.

¹⁹³ David Robert L. Balniel (1900–75): Con. politician; MP Lonsdale div. Lanes. 1924–40; PPS to Min. of Health 1931–5; sue. 28th Earl Crawford & Balcarres 1940.

¹⁹⁴ Oliver Frederick Stanley (1896–1950): Con. politician; MP Westmorland 1924–45; Min. of Transport 1933–4, of Labour 1934–5; Pres. Bd of Educ. 1935–7, Bd of Trade 1937–40; Sec. of State for War 1940, for Colonies 1942–5.

¹³⁵ Dudley Disraeli Braham (1875–1951): journalist; joined The Times 1897Google Scholar; head of Imperial & For. Dept 1912–14; Ed. Daily Telegraph, Sydney 1914–22; founder & Ed. of Forum 1922–1924Google Scholar; Ed. Western Australian, Perth 1924–1930Google Scholar; rejoined The Times 1930–1945.Google Scholar

¹⁹⁶ William Max Aitken (1879–1964): Con. politician & newspaper proprietor; MP 1910–16; purchased Daily Express 1916Google Scholar; Chanc, of Duchy of Lancaster & Min. of Info. 1918; Min. for Aircraft Production 1940–1, of State 1941, of Supply 1941–2; Ld Privy Seal 1943–5; kt. 1911 cr. Baron Beaverbrook 1917.

¹⁹⁷ Konstanty Skirmut (1866–1949): Polish politician & diplomat; Min. in Rome 1919 21; For. Min. 1921–2; Min. in London 1922–9; Amb. in London 1929–34. See his Moje Wspomnienia 1866–1945 (1997).Google Scholar

¹⁹⁸ On 18 March 1933 Mussolini — after first getting Hitler's approval in principle proposed to Britain that Italy, Britain, Germany and France should ‘co-ordinate’ their policies in European, extra-European and colonial matters, should consider revision of the peace treaties and should recognize the right of Germany to rearm by stages.

¹⁹⁹ Esmond Ovey (1879–1963): entered dip. service 1903; Amb. in Moscow 1929–33, in Brussels 1934–7, to Argentina & Paraguay 1937 42; kt. 1929.

²⁰⁰ William Strang (1893–1978): entered FO 1919; actg Counsellor in Moscow 1930–2, Counsellor 1932–9; Asst. U-Sec. FO 1939 43, PUS 1949–53; kt. 1943; cr. Baron Strang of Stonesfield 1954. See his Home and Abroad (1956).Google Scholar

²⁰¹ Douglas McGarel Hogg (1872–1950): Con. politician; MP St Marylebone 1922–8; Attorney-Gen. 1922–8; Ld Chanc. 1928–9; Sec. of State for War 1931-–5; Ld Chanc. 1935–8; Ld Pres. 1938; kt. 1922; cr. Baron Hailsham 1928, Viscount 1929.

²⁰² Willmott Harsant Lewis (1877–1950): journalist; Ed. Manilla Times 1911–1917Google Scholar; Corrspdt in Washington, The Times 1920Google Scholar 48; kt. 1931.

²⁰³ ALK has noted in the margin: ‘No: see Journal May 11’.

²⁰⁴ Alfred Rosenberg (1893–1946): Nazi ideologist; joined NSDAP 1919Google Scholar; participated in beer hall Putsch; Ed. Völkischer Beobachter from 1923Google Scholar; founded Kampfbund für deutsche Kultur [Fighting League for German Culture] 1929; Reichstag Deputy 1930Google Scholar; head, NSDAP For. Affairs Dept 1933–45; responsible for training in Nazi ideology within NSDAP from 1934; founded Institute for the Investigation of the Jewish Question 1939; hanged for activities as Reich Min. for the Eastern Occupied Territories 1941–5. See The Memoirs of Alfred Rosenberg (1947).Google Scholar

²⁰⁵ William de Ropp: former Times correspondent in Berlin. A naturalized Englishman of German origins, he succeeded in establishing himself as Rosenberg's principal expert on Britain and saw to it that leading pro-Nazis were invited to Germany. But he was also being paid by Britain, reporting to the Chief of Air Intelligence of the Secret Intelligence Service, Squadron-Leader Winterbotham, whom he supplied with information concerning Nazi political aims and plans. Where his real allegiances lay remains in doubt. See Winterbotham, F.W., The Nazi Connection (1978).Google Scholar

²⁰⁶ Joseph Paul Goebbels (1897–1945): Nazi politician; head of party organization, Berlin 1926, of party propaganda & organization 1928; elected to Reichstag 1929Google Scholar; founder & Dir. Der Angriff [The Attack] 1927–1933Google Scholar; Min. of Enlightenment & Propaganda 1933–45; poisoned his six children, committed suicide 1945.

²⁰⁷ This entry is in Sylvia Kennedy's hand.

²⁰⁸ Dorothy Carter; m. Walford Selby 1912.

²⁰⁹ Edward Grey (1862–1933): Lib. MP Berwick 1885–1916; U-Sec. FO 1892–5; FS 1905–16; sue. 3rd Bart. 1882, cr. Viscount Grey of Fallodon 1916.

²¹⁰ James Bryce (1838–1922): Lib. MP Tower Hamlets 1880–5, Aberdeen South 1885–1906; Chief See. for Ireland 1905–7; Amb. in Washington 1907–13; cr. Viscount 1914.

²¹¹ From this point on the entry is in ALK's hand.

²¹² Thomas W. Legh (1857–1942): politician & author; Con. MP Newton div. of Lanes 1886–99; Paymaster-Gen. 1915–16; Asst U-Sec. FO 1916; Controller, Prisoners of War Dept 1916–19; biographies of Lords Lyons & Lansdowne; suc. 2^nd Baron Newton 1898.

²¹³ Charles Hardinge (1858–1944): PUS FO 1906–10; Viceroy of India 1910–16; PUS 1916–20; Amb. in Paris 1920–3; kt. 1904; cr. Baron Hardinge of Penshurst 1910.

²¹⁴ Winston Léonard Spencer Churchill (1874–1965): Con. MP for Oldham 1900–04 (Lib. from 1904), Lib. MP Manchester NW 1906–8, Dundee 1908–22, Con. MP Epping (later Woodford) 1924–64; Pres. Bd of Trade 1908–10; Home Sec. 1910–11; 1^st Ld of Admiralty 1911–15, 1939–40; Chanc. Duchy of Lancaster 1915; Min. of Munitions 1917–19; Sec. for War & Air 1919–21; Colonial Sec. 1921–2; Chanc, of Exchequer 1924–9; 1^st Ld of Admiralty 1939–40; PM 1940–5, 1951–5; Con. Ldr 1940–55; kt. 1953.

²¹⁵ Roger Cambon (1881–1970): French diplomat; nephew of Paul Cambon (Amb. in London 1898–1920); entered dip. service 1905; Min. & Counsellor in London 1924–40.

²¹⁶ ‘Two Schools of Diplomacy’: 4 05 1933.Google Scholar

²¹⁷ On 24 May ALK crossed out the section from ‘One quite’ to ‘none the less’, noting ‘I now know that Tyrrell has got an extension for 2 or 3 years.’

²¹⁸ ‘Peaceful Revision’: 27 03 1933.Google Scholar

²¹⁹ Georg von Franckenstein (1878–1953); Min. in London 1920–38; naturalized British subject, 1938; kt.1938. See his Facts & Features of My life (1939).Google Scholar

²²⁰ In his despatch to Simon on 10 May (No. 479) Rumbold reported that the Nazi régime was steadily consolidating itself and showing signs of ‘a saner and more responsible attitude on the part of the three leaders, Hitler, Goebbels & Göring.’

²²¹ ALK on 21 May crossed out the section from ‘It seems’ to ‘do with it’ and inserted ‘There has been a great change in the Ger: attitude’.

²²² Michael Robert Wright (1901–1976): entered dip. service 1926; FO 1930–6; Paris embassy 1936–40, Cairo 1940–3, Washington 1943–6; Asst U-Sec. FO 1947–50; Amb. in Oslo 1951–4, in Baghdad 1954–8; kt.1951.

²²³ Malcolm Arnold Robertson (1877–1951): entered FO 1898; Min. in Buenos aires 1925–7; Amb. in Buenos aires 1927–9; retd 1930; Chm. of Spillers Ltd 1930–47; Con. MP Mitcham div. of Surrey 1940–5; Chm. British Council 1941–5; kt. 1924.

²²⁴ Eric Clare E. Phipps (1875–1945): entered dip. service 1899; Counsellor in Brussels 1920–2; Min. in Paris 1922–8, in Vienna 1928–33; Amb. in Berlin 1933–7, in Paris 1937–9; kt. 1927.

²²⁵ Roberto Farinacci (1892–1945): Partito Nazionale Fascista Sec. 1925–6; captured, executed and hanged 1945. See his Realtà storicha (1939).Google Scholar

²²⁶ Between 10 and 21 May Kennedy produced ‘A Breathing Space’ (13 May), ‘Herr Rosenberg Departs’ (15 May) and ‘A Challenge to Peace’ (16 May).

²²⁷ Engelbert Dollfuss (1892–1934): Min. of Agric. & Forestry 1931; Federal Chanc. 1932; murdered 25 July 1934 during unsuccessful coup d'état by Austrian Nazis.

²²⁸ Pavle Yevtitch: Yugoslav Press Attaché in London.

²²⁹ Jan Garrigue Mazaryk (1886–1948): son of Thomas (1850–1937); Min. in London 1925–38; resigned 1938; Min. of For. Affs 1940–8; deputy PM 1941–5; believed to have committed suicide when communists took control of Czech govt in 1948.

²³⁰ In response to Mussolini's proposals of 18 March 1933, Hitler had declared to the Reichstag on 17 May his unqualified peaceful intentions while at the same time asserting Germany's need for equality of rights on armaments. The Four-Power Pact was subsequently signed on 7 June 1933 on the basis of Mussolini's original proposal, but limiting revision to a reference to Article 19 of the League Covenant and dropping the reference to the co-ordination of policies in the ‘colonial’ sphere.

²³¹ Nicolae Titulesco (1882–1941): Rumanian politician & diplomat; Min. of Finance 1920–22; Min. in London 1922–6, 1928–32; For. Min. 1927, 1932–6. See his Reflectii (1985).Google Scholar

²³² This reported comments of MacDonald at the ‘Steering Committee’ of the World Economic Conference: ‘and gentlemen I want to say this. I am not a reader of the Press. But, gentlemen, this morning I was waiting for a telephone call. Whilst I was waiting I picked up the Times And gentlemen I found there, in that great newspaper an article, some sentences of which, I think, gentlemen, deserve your attention! (Reads out selected sentences from the Times leader) You see gentlemen what the great national organ has to say about our conference. This is proof that public opinion in this country, gentlemen is deeply stirred by the possibility of an adjournment. The article is accompanied by letters from readers. All in the same sense, gentlemen. I think that we cannot afford to ignore this expression of British public opinion, all the more because it is spontaneous.’

²³³ Julius Gömbös de Jafka (1886–1936): army officer & politician; Maj-Gen. 1929, Lt-Gen. 1934, Gen. 1936; elected Deputy 1920; Min. of Defence 1929–31; PM 1932–6.

²³⁴ ‘A Turning Point’: 16 09 1933, p.11.Google Scholar

²³⁵ Charles William Brodribb (1878–1945): joined The Times 1904Google Scholar; Asst Ed. 1935.

²³⁶ Maurice P.A. Hankey (1877–1963): joined Royal Marine Artillery 1895; Sec., Committee of Imperial Def. 1912–38, of Cab. 1919–38; Min. without Portfolio 1939–40; kt. 1916; cr. Baron Hankey of the Chart 1939. See his Politics, Trials & Errors (1949).Google Scholar

²³⁷ (Francis) D'Arcy G. Osborne (1884–1964); Min. in Washington 1931–5, at Holy See, 1936–47; kt. 1943.

²³⁸ Otto Christian von Bismarck (1897–1976): politician & diplomat; grandson of the German Chanc.; Deputy 1923–7; Counsellor in London 1926–37; Deputy to Head of Political Dept Auswärtige Amt 1937–1940Google Scholar; Amb. in Rome 1940–3; Deputy (Bundestag): 1953–65.

²³⁹ Robert McGowan Barrington-Ward (1891–1948): journalist; Asst Ed. Observer 1919–1927Google Scholar; Asst Ed. The Times 1927–1941Google Scholar, Ed. 1941–8.

²⁴⁰ ‘The Break-Up’: 16 10 1933, p.13Google Scholar. Dawson noted in his diary on the 15th: ‘a dreadfully poor leader by Leo K, who cannot write to order & had to be largely rewritten betw 10 & 12.30.’ Dawson Mss 37, f. 151, Bodleian Library.

²⁴¹ ‘The Two Cases’: 18 10 1933.Google Scholar

²⁴² Donald Harvey MacLachlan (1908–71): editorial staff The Times 1933–1936Google Scholar; Asst Master Winchester College 1936–8; Ed. Times Educational Supplement 1938–1940Google Scholar; naval intelligence 1940–5; Asst Ed. (for.) The Economist 1947–1954Google Scholar; Deputy Ed. Daily Telegraph 1954–1960Google Scholar. See his In the Chair: Barrington-Ward of The Times (1970).Google Scholar

²⁴³ Vere Brabazon Ponsonby (1880–1956): Con. politician & businessman; MP Cheltenham 1910, Dover 1913–20; Chm. San Paulo Railway; Dep. Chm. De Beers Consolidated Mines; Gov.-Gen. of Canada 1931–5; Pres. Council of Foreign Bondholders 1936; Chm. League Loans Cmtee 1937; sue. 9th Earl of Bessborough 1920.

²⁴⁴ Hans Wilhelm Thost: sent to London as Gorrspdt of Völkischer Beobachter 1931Google Scholar; helped found Anglo-German club in Oxford. See his Als Nationalsozialist in England (1939).Google Scholar

²⁴⁵ Albert Sarraut (1872–1962), French politician & colonial administrator; PM 26 Octobet–23 November 1933, 24 January–4 June 1936.

²⁴⁶ ‘The Disarmament Debate’: 8 11 1933.Google Scholar

²⁴⁷ The FO were forming its own impressions of ALK. On 13 November, Reginald Leeper minuted:

‘It may be of some interest – as unfortunately it is of some importance – to put on record the views of Mr. Kennedy, the leader writer of ‘The Times’ on foreign affairs. His views, as stated to me to-day, are briefly the following.

He would not favour any initiative being taken by the British Government towards securing an understanding with France on Disarmament, as he does not think it possible to secure any agreement with France which Germany would accept. He would not therefore like this country to be placed in a position in which she was aligned with France against Germany. He would on the contrary advocate an independent policy, viz., that His Majesty's Government should make a unilateral statement saying how far they themselves would be prepared to go to satisfy Germany's claims as regards armaments. This statement he would accompany by another declaration that His Majesty's Government were prepared for their part to consider all Germany's claims for territorial revision.

I suggested to Mr. Kennedy that his policy might cause some confusion in Europe. For example, it would immediately stiffen the French in their resistance and encourage Germany. It would create the maximum amount of dissention between France and ourselves and would lead to a shimozzle (I avoided the word ‘war’ out of respect for Mr. Kennedy's feelings) in Europe. ‘If so’ he replied, ‘we should keep out of it.’

I venture to suggest that at a time which is critical for Europe and ourselves the state of Mr. Kennedy's mind has an importance greater than it deserves. Until His Majesty's Government are in a position to take a definite lead I fear that ‘The Times’ under Mr. Kennedy's influence will not be exactly a helpful element in the situation.

²⁴⁸ ‘A Vote of Censure?’: 13 11 1933Google Scholar; ‘Herr Hitler's Case’: 14 11 1933.Google Scholar

²⁴⁹ Nancy Witcher Astor (1879–1964): politician; first woman MP; Con. MP Sutton div. of Plymouth 1919 45; wife of Waldorf Astor, she hosted weekend parties at their country home attended by notable politicians and the influential, which gave rise to rumours of the existence of a ‘Cliveden set’ devoted to promoting appeasement at any cost.

²⁵⁰ Robert Arthur T. Gascoyne-Cecil (1830–1903): Con. MP Stamford 1853–68; FS 1878–80, 1885–6, 1887–92, 1895–1900; PM 1885–6, 1886–92, 1895–1902; suc. 3rd Marquess Salisbury 1868.

²⁵¹ On 1 April 1878, only four days after succeeding Lord Derby as Foreign Secretary, Salisbury had issued a diplomatic circular explaining Britain's refusal to attend the proposed Congress at Berlin. The Russians had insisted on their unilateral right to regard the terms of peace agreed with the Turks at San Stelano ending the Russo-Turkish War as ‘final’. As Kennedy later put it in his Salisbury, 1830 1903 (London, 1953)Google Scholar, ‘With cogent logic, in terse and virile language…[it] set out the reasons why the Treaty of San Stefano should not be allowed to stand.…it produced a galvanic and unifying effect both in this country and in Europe.’ pp. 115–16.

²⁵² ‘A British Initiative’: 15 11 1933.Google Scholar

²⁵³ ‘What is the British Policy?’: 17 11 1933.Google Scholar

²⁵⁴ ALK has inserted a typewritten memo on his conversation with Schwarz at this point:

‘Herr Schwarz was a former Socialist journalist on the Vorwärts, who has now gone Nazi, declaring that Herr Hitler may prove to be the most effective champion of disarmament and a new peace system.

After a longish conversation with Schwarz I do not think this idea can be dismissed as wholly fantastic.

Goebbels has lately coined the phrase that Germany must be Eine Weltmacht ohne Waffen (A World-Power without Arms); and Schwarz believes that Hitler is quite likely to lead a sort of crusade on these lines.

The sort of thing that Hitler would do, he said, was to ask that within three months of the signing of a Disarmament Convention there should be ‘sample destructions’ by other Powers! The International Commission, including German officers, would supervise these destructions, and photograph them cinematographically. They would then be shown on every cinema screen in Germany.

A typically Nazi idea, and brighter than most of them!

In German eyes Geneva has deteriorated. Germans have got into the frame of mind that nothing good can come out of Geneva. It is the home of humbug and intrigue. Schwarz expressed keen regret that Simon had gone to Geneva today instead of adopting the method of the Circular Note which we had advocated in T.T.

Among interesting minor points made by Schwarz was that the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides still continue in Germany just as before, only they have been gleichgeschaltet like everything else, and made [to] be a Nazi institution, and are supposed thus to be deprived of their foreign origin.

He confirmed to me that the abbreviation ‘Nazi’ is used as a term of reproach by its enemies, much as ‘Tory’ is used by Socialists, and therefore it would be appreciated if in serious articles the word ‘National-Socialist’ were used in full.

An interesting sidelight on Herr Hitler's character was thrown by Schwarz when he told me that Hitler had gone to the opera ‘Arabella’ meaning to leave after the first Act in order to compose his reply-speech to Daladier on the wireless, but that Hitler had been carried away by the music, had remained to the end of the opera, and had composed his speech between midnight and three in the morning.’

²⁵⁵ Istvan Bethlen de Bethlen (1874–1947): Hungarian politician; MP 1901–1918; PM 1921–31; died as prisoner in USSR.

²⁵⁶ George Ambrose Lloyd (1879–1941): Con. MP Staffs. W. 1910–18, Eastbourne 1924–5; Gov. of Bombay 1918–23; High Commissioner for Egypt & Sudan 1925–9; Colonial Sec. 1940–1; Con. Leader in HofL. 1941; Chm. of British Council 1937–40; kt. 1918, cr. Baron Lloyd 1925. See his The British Case (1939).Google Scholar

²⁵⁷ Robert Hamilton Bernays (1902–45): journalist & politician; Idr writer, News Chronicle 1925–1929Google Scholar, Special Corrspdt in India 1930–1, in Germany 1933; Lib. MP Bristol N. 1931–45 (Nat. Lib. from 1936). See his Special Correspondent (1934).Google Scholar

²⁵⁸ André François-Poncet (1887–1978): French politician & diplomat; Deputy 1924–31; Amb. in Berlin 1931–8, in Rome 1938–40; arrested by Gestapo 1943Google Scholar, liberated 1945; High Commissioner, Allied High Commission in Germany 1949–55; Amb. in Bonn 1955. See his Fateful Years (1949).Google Scholar

²⁵⁹ ‘Foreign Policy in the Lords’: 14 12 1933.Google Scholar

²⁶⁰ Robert (Hamilton) Bruce-Lockhart (1887–1970): diplomat, Journalist & spy; entered consular service 1911; Commercial Sec. in Prague 1919–22; retd 1922; editorial staff Evening Standard 1929–1937Google Scholar; Political Intelligence Dept FO 1939–40; Deputy U-Sec. FO & Dir-Gcn. of Political Warfare Executive 1941–5; kt. 1943. See his My Europe (1952).Google Scholar