Cablgram 133 11 October 1939

Completed draft of Mr Chamberlain's speech received. [1] I have
consulted with my colleagues of the War Cabinet [2] and now
venture to make the following observations-
We think that the speech, while an admirable and dispassionate
statement, needs strengthening in two parts if it is to have the
maximum effect upon the spirit of the British people and upon
neutral public opinion.

In the first place we think the issue in the war should be brought
out clearly by emphasising that we are in danger because what is
involved is not only the peaceful existence of small nations in
Europe but also the peaceful existence of Great Britain, France,
the Dominions and all freedom loving countries. In a word, this is
a defensive and not an offensive war. The triumph of brute
strength in Middle Europe must inevitably be succeeded by a
similar attempted triumph in a westerly direction. Our interests
to defend Middle European security are therefore identical with
our interests to defend our own.

In the second place we think there is at this moment a great
opportunity for some simple presentation of our war aim in order
to counter German propaganda and make our own position quite clear
to the world. As we see it, we are aiming at victory for the great
principle of the rule of law. We propose to make no territorial
claims, we aim at no punishment or humiliation for the ordinary
German people, we do not blindly adhere to the status quo on the
Versailles Treaty basis, but there must be real independence for
the Polish people, the Czechs, Slovaks and, in short, all non-
Germanic people in Europe. We stand for a system of international
justice on an effective collective system of which all European
powers would be members and with machinery for constant and
unprejudiced revision of treaties and an all-round reduction of
armaments.

In a word, we should emphasise that while we are fighting for our
lives and freedom and the lives and freedom of other people and
for that purpose we intend to defeat a German Government whose
philosophy is dishonest and dangerous, we are not aiming really at
victory but rather looking beyond it to the laying of the
foundation of a better international system which will mean that
war is not to be the inevitable lot of every succeeding
generation.

I suggest all these matters to you for your earnest consideration.

[3]