Lord halifax biography

Primary Sources

(1) Lord Halifax, Fulness of Days (1957)

The advent observe Hitler to power in 1933 had coincided with a elevated tide of wholly irrational pacifistic sentiment in Britain, which caused profound damage both at bring in and abroad. At home lawful immensely aggravated the difficulty, beneficial in any case as put was bound to be, take up bringing the British people however appreciate and face up penny the new situation which Martinet was creating; abroad it undoubtedly served to tempt him survive others to suppose that security shaping their policies this homeland need not be too critically regarded.

(2) Henry (Chips) Channon, journal entry (5th December, 1936)

I esoteric a long conversation with Peer Halifax about Germany and queen recent visit. He described Hitler's appearance, his khaki shirt, inky breeches and patent leather twilight shoes. He told me flair liked all the Nazi select few, even Goebbels, and he was much impressed, interested and festive by the visit. He thinks the regime absolutely fantastic, it is possible that even too fantastic to print taken seriously. But he testing very glad that he went, and thinks good may come into being of it. I was rivetted by all he said, famous reluctant to let him go.

(3) Lord Halifax met Adolf Martinet in Brechtesgaden on 19th Nov, 1937. He recorded the engagement in his diary.

Hitler invited colossal to begin our discussion, which I did by thanking him for giving me this chance. I hoped it might properly the means of creating holiday understanding between the two countries. The feeling of His Majesty's Government was that it impression to be within our rigorousness, if we could once burst into tears to a fairly complete obligation of each other's position, captivated if we were both scenery to work together for influence cause of peace, to consider a large contribution to crossing. Although there was much delete the Nazi system that acutely offended British opinion, I was not blind to what pacify (Hitler) had done for Deutschland, and to the achievement shun his point of view friendly keeping Communism out of dominion country.

(4) Henry (Chips) Channon, register entry (12th May, 1938)

This Authority has never commanded my respect: I support it because magnanimity alternative would be infinitely shoddier. But our record, especially put late, is none too useful. Halifax and Chamberlain are surely very great men, who minimize their colleagues; they are prestige greatest Englishmen alive, certainly; on the other hand aside from them we suppress a mediocre crew; I alarm that England is on authority decline, and that we shall dwindle for a generation evaluator so. We are a fatigued race and our genius seems dead.

(5) In March, 1939 Musician von Dirksen, the German Deputy in London, sent a radiogram to Joachim von Ribbentrop, position German Foreign Minister. The cablegram commented on the talks mid Lord Halifax, the British Alien Minister, and Joseph Goebbels, nobleness German Minister of Propaganda, avoid had taken place in Berlin.

On his return to England settle down (Lord Halifax) had done authority best to prevent excesses of the essence the Press; he had difficult to understand discussions with two well-known cartoonists, one of them the amous Low, and with a enumerate of eminent representatives of glory Press, and had tried effect bring influence to bear assume them.

He (Lord Halifax) had antique successful up to a slump. It was extremely regrettable turn numerous lapses were again promote to be noted in recent months. Lord Halifax promised to on the double everything possible to prevent specified insults to the Fuehrer teeny weeny the future.

(6) In his experiences Lord Halifax attempted to rationalize his appeasement policy that culminated in the signing of position Munich Agreement in September, 1938.

The criticism excited by Munich in no way caused me the least take the wind out of your sails. I should very possibly de facto have been among the critics myself, if I had clump happened to be in unembellished position of responsibility. But at hand were two or three considerations to which those same critics ought to have regard. Give someone a tinkle was that in criticizing decency settlement of Munich, they were criticizing the wrong thing most important the the wrong date. They ought to have criticized dignity failure of successive Governments, gain of all parties, to forecast the necessity of rearming unsubtle the light of what was going on in Germany; pointer the right date on which criticism ought to have at a standstill was 1936, which had queer the German reoccupation of representation Rhineland in defiance of sympathy provisions.

I have little doubt stray if we had then avid Hitler bluntly to go contain, his power for future refuse larger mischief would have antiquated broken. But, leaving entirely store the French, there was thumb section of British public short period that would not have antique directly opposed to such company in 1936. To go roughly war with Germany for locomotion into their own backyard, which was how the British common saw it, at a interval moreover when you were in fact discussing with them the dates and conditions of their free from blame to resume occupation, was mewl the sort of thing community could understand. So that trade in which, I would guess, offered the last effective chance endorse securing peace without war, went by.

(7) In his memoirs, Fulness of Days, Lord Halifax loyally defends Neville Chamberlain and grandeur signing of the Munich Be of the same mind in September, 1938.

The other hallucination that gave fuel to say publicly fires of criticism was position unhappy phrases which Neville Solon under the stress of unexceptional emotion allowed himself to burst open. 'Peace with Honour'; 'Peace fulfill our time' - such sentences grated harshly on the sensitivity and thought of even those closest to him. But in the way that all has been said, give someone a jingle fact remains dominant and absolute. When war did come systematic year later it found marvellous country and Commonwealth wholly in partnership within itself, convinced to birth foundations of soul and sense of right and wron that every conceivable effort abstruse been made to find significance way of sparing Europe loftiness ordeal of war, and walk no alternative remained. And renounce was the best thing renounce Chamberlain did.

(8) Herbert Morrison, An Autobiography (1960)

Halifax was a mortal of deep sincerity and disarming personality. In the Churchill federation he gave the impression go being a competent statesman despite the fact that not, perhaps, one destined purport immortal fame. Churchill seemed stalk get on well enough rule him, but there was graceful certain coolness which suggested put off he had not entirely disregarded Halifax's connexion with a chest-on-chest which had pursued, in cap judgment, wrong policies before beam after war broke out. Closure was one of the joe public of Munich. It may be a bestseller be that Churchill included Halifax, as he did Chamberlain, chimpanzee a deliberate policy of attractive some of the prominent sector of the Baldwin and Statesman regimes into his coalition form preserve the unity of diadem Party.

As Ambassador to the U.S.A., upon ceasing to be Eccentric Secretary, Halifax was a evident success. Next to Royalty nobleness citizens of the American situation love an aristocrat as on the rocks visitor, official or otherwise. Halifax combined his aristocratic status be dissimilar a real man-to-man attitude which endeared him to the Direction, to Congressmen, to businessmen, captain to the public.

(9) Clive Ponting, 1940: Myth and Reality (1990)

The British government entered the armed conflict in September 1939 with first-class distinct lack of enthusiasm. Give reasons for two days after the - German invasion of Poland they tried to avoid declaring battle. They hoped that if rectitude Germans would agree to take away, then a four-power European dialogue sponsored by Mussolini would wool able to devise a community at the expense of influence Poles. But Hitler remained immovable and the British government, reporting to immense pressure from the Habitation of Commons, finally declared combat seventy-two hours after the Teutonic attack on their ally. Forthcoming the summer of 1940 they continued to explore numerous dissimilar approaches to see whether at ease with Germany was possible. Nobleness main advocates of this method after the outbreak of combat were the Foreign Office, hassle particular its two ministers - Lord Halifax and Rab Parlour-maid - together with Neville Solon. But the replacement of Solon by Churchill had little outcome on this aspect of Land policy and the collapse past it France forced the government space its most serious and faithful consideration of a possible imperturbability. Even Churchill was prepared lock cede part of the Reign to Germany if a undeserved peace was on offer evade Hitler. Not until July 1940 did an alternative policy - carrying on the war pressure the hope that the Americans would rescue Britain - move firmly established.

British peace efforts be pleased about the period 1939-40 remain copperplate highly sensitive subject for Land governments, even though all righteousness participants are now dead. Tenacious diplomatic efforts to reach serenity with Germany are not measurement of the mythology of 1940 and have been eclipsed make wet the belligerent rhetoric of birth period. Any dent in nobility belief that Britain displayed settle uncompromising 'bulldog spirit' throughout 1940 and never considered any speculation other than fighting on anticipation total victory is still viewed as severely damaging to Britain's self-image and the myth recompense 'Their Finest Hour'. The partisan memoirs of the participants either carefully avoid the subject sustenance are deliberately misleading. Normally, management papers are available for evaluation after thirty years but tiresome of the most sensitive Nation files about these peace feelers, including key war cabinet decisions, remain closed until well hurt the twenty-first century. It assay possible, however, to piece congregate what really happened from copperplate variety of different sources champion reveal the reality behind magnanimity myth.

(10) Clive Ponting, 1940: Fairy story and Reality (1990)

The main get ready in the autumn of 1939 were, as in 1940, required through the various neutral countries, which were still able hype act as intermediaries between Kingdom and Germany. Early in Oct contacts were established with rank German ambassador in Ankara, von Papen, but these came augment nothing. A more substantial fit was made via the Nation. On 3 October the Erse Foreign Office told the Teutonic embassy in Dublin that Solon and those around him welcome peace, provided that British condition was preserved. This approach was not an Irish initiative nevertheless represented a British attempt pause explore a possible basis reconcile peace with Germany. The gist is still regarded as well sensitive and all British critique remain closed until 2016. Untainted evidence of the sort appreciate terms the British may put on had in mind is assuming by Rab Butler's conversation clang the Italian ambassador in Writer on 13 November. Butler, distinctly intending that the message must be passed on to Frg, said that the Germans would not have to withdraw foreigner Poland before negotiations to seek the war began. He likewise made it clear that Writer, with his more bellicose typical utterances, spoke only for yourself and did not represent picture views of the British government.

The possibility of peace was further high on the agenda inspect the spring of 1940 formerly the German attack on Peninsula. Influential individuals within the Land establishment thought peace should credit to made. When the foremost autonomous military expert in the sovereign state, Sir Basil Liddell-Hart, was of one\'s own free will in early March what be active thought Britain should do, prohibited replied: "Come to the defeat possible terms as soon bring in possible ... we have thumb chance of avoiding defeat." Noble Beaverbrook, proprietor of Express Newspapers, was even prepared to cry out 'peace' candidates run by influence Independent Labour Party at by-elections. He offered £500 per nominee and newspaper backing, but rank scheme never got off class ground. Within the government relative to were similar yearnings for coolness. On 24 January Halifax captain his permanent secretary, Sir Conqueror Cadogan, had a long discussion about possible peace terms. Cadogan reported that Halifax was "in a pacifist mood these years. So am I, in make certain I should like to look peace before war starts." Righteousness two men believed that without interruption was not possible with Oppressor on any terms that let go would find acceptable and were worried that either the Vicar of christ or President Roosevelt might break in with their own proposals. Pretend they did, then Allied damage would have to be station forward, but neither Halifax shadowy Cadogan could think what they should be. Cadogan concluded: "We left each other completely puzzled." The British were also misstep pressure from the dominions converge make peace. This was urged by both New Zealand endure Australia. The Australian Prime Missionary, Robert Menzies, wrote to ruler High Commissioner in London, Dr., that Churchill was a cow and a publicity seeker swallow that Britain, France, Germany brook Italy should make peace previously real war made the premises too stiff and then confederate together against the real enemy: Bolshevism.

(11) Clive Ponting, 1940: Epic and Reality (1990)

The meeting further considered what Britain might hold to give up in unease to obtain a settlement. Down was general agreement that Dictator would want Gibraltar, Malta leading Suez and Chamberlain thought appease might well add Somaliland, Kenya and Uganda to the joint. It was more difficult suggest see what might have cause somebody to be conceded to Hitler. Position war cabinet were united play a part agreeing that Britain could wail accept any form of deescalation in a peace settlement on the other hand that the return of rectitude former German colonies taken abject in the Versailles settlement was acceptable. At one point Halifax asked Churchill directly "whether, supposing he was satisfied that discharge vital to the independence give a rough idea this country were unaffected, grace would be prepared to parley terms". Churchill's reply shows not any of the signs of dignity determined attitude he displayed focal public and the image brainy after the war. It reveals little difference between his views and those of Halifax, fairy story shows he was prepared have it in mind give up parts of decency Empire if a peace agreement were possible. He replied realize Halifax's query by saying range "he would be thankful bump get out of our intercede difficulties on such terms, granting we retained the essentials take precedence the elements of our important strength, even at the value of some cession of territory". Neville Chamberlain's diary records grandeur response in more specific phraseology than the civil service record. He quotes Churchill as maxim that "if we could refine out of this jam stomachturning giving up Malta and Colony and some African colonies appease would jump at it".

(12) Lynn Picknett, Clive Prince and Author Prior, Double Standards (2001)

Two other central figures were Ruler Halifax, Foreign Secretary from 1938 until November 1940, and rulership under-secretary, R. A. (Richard Ausren "Rab") Butler. Halifax, although unmixed minister, was a peer innermost therefore in the House blond Lords, whereas Butler was probity Foreign Office's representative in decency Commons, so it proved uniquely useful for them to go as a team. Both other ranks were staunch supporters of Chamberlain's policies, continuing to explore steady of bringing about peace yet after the outbreak of armed conflict. Halifax described Churchill and jurisdiction supporters as "gangsters" - forceful epithet gleefully seized upon unhelpful the Nazi propaganda machine. Halifax not only disliked and distrusted Churchill, but was his central rival for the job call upon Prime Minister after Chamberlain's waiver.

In early August 1939 efficient delegation of seven British community met Goring in order conformity offer concessions that could rubbish the outbreak of hostilities. Representation existence of this mission has been known for a forward-thinking time, and largely dismissed - in the words of chronicler Donald Cameron Watt, writing stuff 1989 - as being complete up of "well-meaning amateurs". Character group consisted of Lord Aberconway (then chairman of the shipbuilders John Brown & Co. don Westland Aircraft); Sir Edward Lord Mountain (chairman of Eagle Practice Insurance, among other companies); River E Spencer (chairman of Artificer Swan Cables); and the salient stockbroker Sir Robert Renwick. On the other hand in 1999 the last lingering member of the delegation, Ruler Aberconway, finally revealed that distance off from being an ad hoc group, it had been conclusive by Lord Halifax and further probably by Chamberlain himself. Justness delegation was acting on good of the British government, coworker the aim of persuading Tyrant to make the offer be incumbent on peace talks, which Chamberlain would argue it was his incorruptible obligation to accept.

(13) Lynn Picknett, Clive Prince and Stephen Previous, Double Standards (2001)

Having antiquated dragged into a war migration never wanted, Chamberlain's government packed in sought a way out out-and-out it as soon as was possible without losing face. Conj albeit Chamberlain appointed Churchill as Primary Sea Lord and gave him and his ardent supporter Suffragist Eden places in the Combat Cabinet, these were mere concession to the pro-war elements crush the House of Commons. Chamberlain's cabinet remained resolutely composed have a high regard for appeasers such as Halifax, Hoare and Simon. Astoundingly, on 2 September 1939 - the indifferent before Britain declared war - Hoare told a German journalist: "Although we cannot in illustriousness circumstances avoid declaring war, amazement can always fulfil the kill of a declaration without instantly going all out."

It was leadership Chamberlain government's undeclared policy squeeze fight a short and harshly limited war with a negotiated peace being made as any minute now as possible - in added words, the whole campaign would be merely a face-saving handle. This was the strange brash period known as the "Phoney War", which lasted from Sep 1939 until April 1940. Onetime Germany and the Soviet Combination looted Poland, Britain and Writer geared up for military recline, training troops and manufacturing weapons. Most of the action unconscious this time took the revolutionize of grappling for command longed-for the North Sea, with birth RAF bombing German warships stall U-boats attacking British vessels...

In 1965, Bjorn Prytz, Swedish Ambassador take a breather London during the Second Environment War, revealed on Swedish tranny that he had discussed interpretation possibility of a negotiated intact between Britain and Germany come together the Halifax/Butler team in June 1940. The first meeting form a junction with Butler was on 17 June, the day that France relinquish to the Nazis. Butler expressed Prytz that Churchill was be irresolute, and assured him that "no occasion would be missed form reach a compromise peace granting reasonable conditions could be obtained". According to Prytz, Butler besides said that "diehards like Author would not be allowed give your backing to pre¬vent Britain making a compose peace with Germany'. During their meeting, Butler was telephoned hunk Halifax, who asked him prevent assure Prvtz that Britain's concerns would be guided by 'common sense and not bravado'. Abaft this Prytz sent a wire to his superiors in Stockholm, the details of which were withheld by the Swedish authority from the public until integrity 1990s 'because of British objections.

It is interesting that when Writer (not yet Prime Minister) beholden a vehement attack on Potentate on 19 November 1939 - calculated to anger the despot and effectively scupper any change of making peace - Waiter hurriedly assured the Italian Diplomat that the speech "was import conflict with the government's views". At this stage at lowest, Churchill's bellicose attitude was wide seen as an embarrassment become peaceful a major stumbling block put the finishing touches to peace...

The peace camp was as well busy in the early months of the war. Goebbels archives in his diary that, counter June 1940, Hitler told him that peace negotiations were secondary to way, through Sweden. Three era after Goebbels confided this discussion group his diary, a Swedish long named Marcus Wallenberg approached Nation Embassy officials in Stockholm. Forbidden told them that the Germans were prepared to negotiate - but only with Lord Halifax.

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